The family of a missing five-year-old Calgary girl and her slain mother made a tearful plea for the child’s safe return Tuesday, asking her abductors to drop her off at a police station or gas station.

Police issued an Amber Alert for Taliyah Leigh Marsman at approximately 1:40 a.m. on Tuesday. They are also investigating the death of her mother Sara Baillie and treating it as a homicide.

Police describe Taliyah as mixed-race, with a slim build, curly brown hair and blue eyes.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Scott Hamilton, Baillie’s uncle, made an emotional request to those who’ve “taken” the young girl.

“Please return her,” he said. “Drop her off at an RCMP station, a Calgary police station, or a grocery store or gas station. Contact the family, we’ll come pick her up.

“We love her, we miss her. We want her back.”

Insp. Don Coleman told reporters that police believe the child is still in the Calgary region.

Officers were called to a home in the 1000 block of Panamount Boulevard N.W. on Monday night at about 8:30 p.m., after family members became concerned because Baillie failed to show up to work at the Calgary airport Chili's restaurant, Coleman said.

Police went to the home and found Baillie dead inside and her young daughter gone. Coleman said police do not believe there was any forced entry in the home and they are not convinced a stranger took the girl.

Police said they aren't ruling anything out in their search, including the possibility that Taliyah was dropped off with someone who has yet to realize the girl is the subject of an Amber Alert.

"We have all the faith in the world that Taliyah will be found safe. Somebody who knows where she is, is going to step up and do the right thing," Coleman said, following the family's news conference.

Taliyah’s father, Colin Evan Marsman, is estranged from her mother, and the two had a limited history of domestic violence, Coleman said.

"We've spoken with him. He is co-operating with the investigation."

Coleman said the couple was known to police.

"There is limited domestic history both reported and unreported," he said. "Domestic violence."

Court documents show Marsman, who turns 37 on Wednesday, was charged with unlawful confinement and intimidation by threats on Feb. 1, 2015. They show that Baillie feared he would cause her physical harm.

But the charges were withdrawn March 2. A peace bond issued on that same day has expired.

On Facebook Tuesday, Marsman posted thanks for the prayers for his daughter’s safe return.

A vehicle police initially said may have been connected to Taliyah’s disappearance has been recovered. A 2016 white Ford Fusion with the Alberta licence plate HKE 314 belonging to Baillie is now being examined by a forensic team, Coleman said.

Police have been canvassing the neighbourhood and friends are putting up posters in the hopes someone will come forward with information, knowing the first 24 hours are critical to finding a missing child.

Police are also speaking to everyone who knew Baillie, starting from her inner circle and working their way out.

Mother, daughter were ‘inseparable’

During Tuesday’s press conference, Baillie's uncle described her as a “beautiful young woman” who was doing her best as a single mother.

“We love her and we miss her,” Hamilton said. “She still lives with all of us.”

He noted that the mother and daughter were inseparable, and had a relationship that more closely resembled that of two sisters.

“Taliyah was Sara’s world, she still is,” he said.

"Sara worshipped Taliyah. The times that we saw them interact was marvellous. It was a very awesome relationship to see between a mother and daughter."

Hamilton described Taliyah as "a vivacious, wonderful child, curious."

She liked playing on her iPad and Hamilton's wife, Marilynne, had recently taught Taliyah to ride a bicycle.

"The bicycle sits in our garage waiting for her to come back," he said, his voice breaking.

Calgary homeowner and landlord Olumuyiwa Dada told The Canadian Press that Baillie and her daughter had rented his basement suite and were good tenants.

He said the two moved into the apartment on May 1.

Dada said he last saw the two last week, when they were coming home with groceries. He said he had never met the girl’s father.

"I'm really feeling down because I only see things like this on the TV," Dada said. "I don't really understand what is happening myself. I'm really in shock."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Calgary police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

With files from The Canadian Press