PINOLE, Calif. - Thirty-seven years after 7-year-old Amber Swartz vanished while jumping rope outside her Savage Avenue home in Pinole, the East Bay community gathered Tuesday to mark what would have been her 45th birthday. Family and friends have also heard from police, who say they are examining the case with fresh eyes.

"It’s hard to believe that she’s 45 and not at home, and that it’s been 37 years," said Amber’s mother, Kim Swartz. "If I go back that far in my thoughts, about that particular day, it is overwhelming."

Her mother also released an age-progressed image depicting what Amber might look like today.

"This family has faced tragedy upon tragedy," said Cmdr. Justin Rogers, operations commander for the Pinole Police Department.

"Bernie Swartz, one of our police officers, wa

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