Melissa Highsmith was just 22 months old when she was kidnapped by her babysitter from her parents’ apartment in 1971. It all happened when Melissa's mother was working as a waitress and put up an ad in the newspaper looking for a babysitter. When one of the potential candidates responded, the mother hired her without meeting her first. The woman then kidnapped the baby and never returned.
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| Facebook: Melissa's Voice |
After spending five decades looking for Melissa, and even having a “Finding Melissa” Facebook page with no luck, the family was advised by a genealogist to use a DNA test, 23andMe. And to their surprise... it worked!
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Melissa grew up believing her name was Melanie and lived all her life unaware that she had been kidnapped. Additionally, she fled home at the age of 15 after having a troubled relationship with the woman who supposedly raised her.
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| Facebook: Melissa's Voice |
But the family is now grateful and overjoyed with the reunion. Shortly after finding Melissa, the family posted on Facebook, “We found Melissa!”
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“Our finding Melissa was purely because of DNA, not because of any police/FBI involvement, podcast involvement, or even our family’s own private investigations or speculations. DNA WINS THIS SEARCH!”
Melissa has now decided to use her original name given at birth.
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