The family of a woman missing since her home in Jefferson County burned four years ago is increasing the reward being offered in the case, in the hope someone will come forward with information on her whereabouts.

The reward for information on Joey Lynn Offutt has been increased from $20,000 to $25,000, Offutt’s nephew and family spokesman Jason Hungerford said Monday.

Offutt’s Sykesville home caught fire early on the morning of July 12, 2007. When the flames were extinguished, the remains of Offutt’s 6-week-old son were found. The cause of the fire was determined to be arson, police said.

Offutt and her car were missing. Her two other children weren’t home at the time of the fire and now live with family.

Her car, a red Saturn with Virginia plates, was found four days later at the Nittany Gardens apartment complex in State College, where she previously had lived.

Hungerford said Offutt lived in State College for “maybe two years,” moved to Warrenton, Va., then sought a “fresh start” in Sykesville, a small town on the border of Jefferson and Clearfield counties with which she had no prior connection. She had lived there for about five months before she disappeared.

State police at DuBois said there have been no new leads on the case, which remains open.

The family believes Offutt was the victim of a crime and is likely dead.

“There is no way she would willingly leave her children behind,” Hungerford said. “Above all, Joey was a mother. She lived for her children.”

Offutt is described as petite, about 5 feet 3 inches with a thin build, brown eyes and brown or red-brown hair. More information about Offutt can be found at findjoey.org.

Anyone with information is asked to call 877-440-JOEY or police at 371-4652.