Missing Baby Found After 51 Years: The Incredible Story of Melissa Highsmith

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  • Опубліковано 25 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,4 тис.

  • @KendallRae
    @KendallRae  Рік тому +1344

    There are currently some audio issues going on on UA-cam’s side. I have put in a request for help. Sorry for the inconvenience!

    • @amberjarriel2538
      @amberjarriel2538 Рік тому +65

      I been thinking it was my Wi-Fi the wholeeee time! Love your podcasts and your husbands!!!

    • @terridemaio2926
      @terridemaio2926 Рік тому +21

      No worries

    • @emmarockwell7732
      @emmarockwell7732 Рік тому +16

      It’s still a great listen! Thank you for the awesome video

    • @JessiLBone
      @JessiLBone Рік тому +41

      It's messed up on my Roku tv. But fine on my phone. So weird

    • @jaydynallan3715
      @jaydynallan3715 Рік тому +12

      I thought it was just me. All good though I like to listen when I’m just about to fall asleep so don’t even watch most of the time 😂

  • @CharlotteWilliams-n1z
    @CharlotteWilliams-n1z Рік тому +718

    I know this Mother personally. She has grieved for 51 years wondering where her baby was. And the sad part was the baby had no idea she was stolen and then sold. Had a horrible home life and ran away at 15 and lived on the streets for years. But now she is happily married and so happy that she found her natural family.

    • @annairwin8147
      @annairwin8147 Рік тому +62

      I can’t begin to imagine this mother’s pain

    • @tara7088
      @tara7088 11 місяців тому +15

      ❤❤❤

    • @phyllislindeboom2215
      @phyllislindeboom2215 11 місяців тому +80

      I can imagine her pain as my own mother and us lost my brother Daniel since he was 18! He disappeared in July 1984. My mother didn't do a missing persons report because she didn't want to be informed that he was gone. I filled missing person report that November. We still haven't found him. Mom passed 2013 still not knowing. Heartbreaking indeed!

    • @TheAllyathome
      @TheAllyathome 11 місяців тому

      @@phyllislindeboom2215💔

    • @angmoulton8528
      @angmoulton8528 11 місяців тому +6

      ​@@phyllislindeboom2215hi Phyllis I just wrote a comment under your name on the story about Natalie on nightmare in suburbia ❤❤❤❤

  • @naynayfaxon1698
    @naynayfaxon1698 Рік тому +1258

    My sister has been missing for 39 years . Stories like this keep the hope in my heart ❣️

    • @ASAPLegal
      @ASAPLegal Рік тому +19

      🙏🙏

    • @BlackStump172
      @BlackStump172 Рік тому +71

      Have you had DNA done on Ancestry and 23 & me ?

    • @windsong2875
      @windsong2875 11 місяців тому +18

      I will pray for you. So very sad, but there is hope!

    • @phyllislindeboom2215
      @phyllislindeboom2215 11 місяців тому +86

      My brother has been missing also for 39 years, since July 1984! Horrific!!!!!

    • @monicamayer977
      @monicamayer977 11 місяців тому +23

      I'm so sorry in both directions

  • @NevadaLamb
    @NevadaLamb Рік тому +2758

    They bought her for $500?!! Omg 😭 my heart really goes out to Melissa for being bought into a family that didn’t even give her a good upbringing. I’m both so sad and mad for her.

    • @penelopephelange
      @penelopephelange Рік тому +1

      LMAO she's only worth $500 what a loser

    • @MariMotherofGoblins
      @MariMotherofGoblins Рік тому +63

      It always blows my mind when the story is some variation of, went out of my way to adopt/ (in this case steal) a baby, then neglects them.

    • @tayloranderson7547
      @tayloranderson7547 Рік тому +21

      My heart really goes out to Melissa for being brought into a family that didn't even give her a good upbringing. I'm both so sad and mad for her.

    • @budgiebirdy
      @budgiebirdy Рік тому +13

      Supposedly. I mean, who knows for sure. The woman who raised Melissa doesn't sound like someone of good character so anything's possible.

    • @courtneypuzzo2502
      @courtneypuzzo2502 Рік тому +8

      @@rosiero731 actually the 500 baby Melissa was sold for is equal to $3,600 in todays money and yeah it was a lot in the early 70s as min wage was $1.60 in those days my late paternal great grandmother was a custom drapery maker nearing the end of her career she retired in 1972 or 73 and my dad started working in a local Italian American Restaurant called Morelli's one of the first places in East Boston to Deliver food starting around Superbowl 8 in 1975

  • @cyan_eyed
    @cyan_eyed Рік тому +1596

    The decision to change her name back to her birth name really moved me. After living her entire life with another name? She must feel so whole to be with her true family.

    • @thnkr0917
      @thnkr0917 2 місяці тому +8

      It also suggests she doesn't really have any loyalty to the person who raised her.

  • @donnamaldone265
    @donnamaldone265 Рік тому +633

    Imagine stealing someone's precious baby, knowing they are desperate to find them, and then not even giving the child a good life. That lady needs to be prosecuted. Even if she just purchased the baby knowing she was missing. She still needs to be held responsible.

    • @kellyeaton9994
      @kellyeaton9994 10 місяців тому +52

      Yes, both the kidnapper and the woman who raised Melissa need to be prosecuted! So evil!

    • @bold58
      @bold58 2 місяці тому +9

      The person she purchased the baby from also needs to be prosecuted !

    • @lilliebrown6320
      @lilliebrown6320 2 місяці тому +15

      IF.... IF she actually purchased the baby. She could be lying about that part. She really could have had a hand in this kidnapping!

    • @alisonmercer5946
      @alisonmercer5946 2 місяці тому +14

      IT MAKES perfect sense that a baby thief would not be good to that baby cause u gotta be a special kind of awful to steal a baby

    • @Cassxowary
      @Cassxowary 2 місяці тому

      wait until you hear about people buying slaves or nonhuman fellow animals or anyone forced to be a product!

  • @duckie.thegroomer
    @duckie.thegroomer Рік тому +2577

    I was almost taken from the hospital after I was born. This woman was dressed like a nurse and she wanted to take me from my mom to "run tests" on me. But my dad told her no that I was about to be fed and he can bring me to the nurse station when I was done. He brought me up there and the real nurses were confused as to why my dad brought me up. He let them know what happened and they ended up doing a lineup of the nurses on that day and he didn't recognize her. I can't even imagine where I would've ended up if my dad didn't speak up and told her no. This was in '92

    • @Roxy-Mara
      @Roxy-Mara Рік тому +167

      That's terrifying!!!

    • @w_b_c3014
      @w_b_c3014 Рік тому +84

      Oh my god there is cases on this happening not sure if it was kendal that did one ona case of a nurse with this same thing about wanting to run tests etc etc , but I know for sure there was one someone did on a nurse taking the baby for tests wasn't until baby hadn't come back that the alarm was sounded but it was too late ... scary stuff

    • @MeriweatherDesigns
      @MeriweatherDesigns Рік тому +21

      That’s so crazy

    • @fighttheevilrobots3417
      @fighttheevilrobots3417 Рік тому +16

      Where was this located?

    • @opienattyvlogs7930
      @opienattyvlogs7930 Рік тому +11

      Thats scary I was born in 1991

  • @AngieCrystal
    @AngieCrystal Рік тому +3054

    in my opinion, the lady who bought Melissa should automatically be seen as “involved” in this case. she may not have been involved in the abduction but she bought a child & knowing all these years that Melissa was bought & sold which are crimes in itself but happy she was able to be reunited with her family!💓truly a miracle!

    • @hansolohansolo
      @hansolohansolo Рік тому +348

      Right!? And the fact that she BOUGHT A PERSON… literally means she participated in human trafficking. How is that not an issue being raised here??

    • @snm3815
      @snm3815 Рік тому +133

      100 percent!! She knew that she was abducted. She shouldn’t have her identity kept private and she should be investigated !

    • @mumtazamiri6409
      @mumtazamiri6409 Рік тому +58

      Totally agree ! Receipt of stolen goods is a crime so how is it not an issue involving a human being ? Should be considered as Child Trafficking! The lady has some explaining to do !

    • @twothousandandchew
      @twothousandandchew Рік тому

      @@hansolohansolo you have to buy people in order to adopt 💀what’s the difference between this and adoption

    • @chucklemethis3329
      @chucklemethis3329 Рік тому +15

      How th does one even get a false identity for a child anyway? SS gave me trouble right after having one of my babies and I was just trying to secure her birth certificate. Shes fifty and her ss# was never traced to an expired number? How does that work? “Yes, SS so like i had my baby at home a year and a half ago” or was that part of the 500 deal? Refurbished babies comes with new name and ss#

  • @TropicalPlaties
    @TropicalPlaties Рік тому +1737

    The fact that the person who raised her KNEW is absolutely disgusting. It's also disgusting that she purchased a child and still didn't give that child the best life possible! I'm so glad this was solved. I really hope this opens up the possibility to find the person who actually took her and maybe even the ring that may have more children hidden.

    • @w_b_c3014
      @w_b_c3014 Рік тому

      That person prob is unlikely alive or at the very end of their life if they haven't already passed which is a shame because that person aswell as the person who purchased Melissa should be pun*shed

    • @snm3815
      @snm3815 Рік тому +13

      I agree!!!

    • @amber13000
      @amber13000 Рік тому +61

      And then to not even give her a good life! What was the point of going through all that trouble to not love and care for her. It's just mind-boggling to me.

    • @lonamanlpu4379
      @lonamanlpu4379 Рік тому +30

      She knew so she should be charged and face prison

    • @katyty1496
      @katyty1496 Рік тому +19

      It's infuriating! It's like this person bought a puppy off some random person and after a while got tired of it! 🤯

  • @brandizenczak2756
    @brandizenczak2756 Рік тому +744

    Mel is my aunt (by marriage)
    I am so so happy she has found her happy new beginning with her biological family.
    When I tell you she, of anyone else I've ever ever met, deserves this happy new beginning, it's her.

    • @jenniferann1969
      @jenniferann1969 Рік тому +38

      No doubt, how sad it must be for the rest of your family that she has had to obviously suffer all these years. for the potential stolen. My love to Melissa, and to you all

    • @tracylalonde4972
      @tracylalonde4972 Рік тому +17

      ​@hazelsunman1133You and me both. I don't think I would be able to go on. I would crumble. 😢

    • @rotrautmellin7543
      @rotrautmellin7543 Рік тому +15

      Jesus helped her to reunite with her birth-family . AMEN
      ❤❤❤

    • @kathygeorgiou7687
      @kathygeorgiou7687 Рік тому +15

      Were her raising parents charged for kidnapping?

    • @sooky2253
      @sooky2253 10 місяців тому +15

      She had 11 siblings in the area and not 1 could babysit or foster?

  • @Pam-bx2mm
    @Pam-bx2mm Рік тому +154

    I hope it gave her comfort to know she had parents that loved her all these years. And her brother would not give up looking for her.

  • @thelawntreader602
    @thelawntreader602 Рік тому +6835

    It's mind boggling to me that someone would jump through all the hoops of buying and concealing a child for 50 years if they're not going to actually be a parent.

    • @ivonne58270
      @ivonne58270 Рік тому +554

      Exactly what i was thinking! Like just return the baby and let her live out her life with her family!

    • @penelopephelange
      @penelopephelange Рік тому +1

      Isn't that hilarious? 😂 she totally deserved it

    • @barbaramcmillan3835
      @barbaramcmillan3835 Рік тому +348

      If the person who brought her up didn't steal her, she still knew that baby was stolen, and she knew where Melissa came from, and kept her.
      Otherwise, It was done for money. Maybe someone on drugs or on the streets. No-one can imagine the desperation of someone who would do that. They need to face justice.

    • @Cowprintsuzie
      @Cowprintsuzie Рік тому +48

      My thoughts exactly.

    • @Uptownboo84
      @Uptownboo84 Рік тому +28

      @@barbaramcmillan3835 EXACTLY!!

  • @stephlyndsey3932
    @stephlyndsey3932 Рік тому +1104

    I hate to hear that Melissa didn't have a healthy childhood, after ALL those people went through to kidnap her the least they could've did is give her the best life!! It's really a blessing that everyone is still alive today and able to reunite, sometimes the truth comes out too late. Best wishes to Melissa and her family!! Make the most of every day!! ❤

    • @sidology1.0
      @sidology1.0 Рік тому +65

      The confusing thing, why go through all of that just to give the child a poverty life

    • @stephlyndsey3932
      @stephlyndsey3932 Рік тому +11

      @@sidology1.0 Exactly, so weird

    • @raimeyewens7518
      @raimeyewens7518 Рік тому +44

      They stole a baby and sold it for $500. They ruined so many lives for $500. Unimaginable!

    • @margyritchie2702
      @margyritchie2702 Рік тому

      The reason we have euthanize so many animals impulse purchase

    • @KhanMann66
      @KhanMann66 Рік тому +5

      @@sidology1.0 novelty thing. They thought hold raising would be a piece of cake until they realized how difficult it is and then decided they want any responsibility in raising the child anymore.

  • @samthelion3925
    @samthelion3925 Рік тому +2894

    She was abducted just to be sold on the street for a measly $500?! Her entire life was ruined for $500?!?! That's insane.

    • @jazlinalarcon5134
      @jazlinalarcon5134 Рік тому +244

      And to top it off she didn’t even give her a good life , poor girl

    • @headfirst_forhalos
      @headfirst_forhalos Рік тому +101

      I’m pretty sure that’s like 3k during those times but still ur right

    • @laurynburkett4715
      @laurynburkett4715 Рік тому +105

      @@headfirst_forhalos very close. $500 in 1971 is equivalent to $3,664.16 today. Crazy

    • @ghfamghgam1172
      @ghfamghgam1172 Рік тому +79

      Not just her I expect her parents lives were ruined too. Atleast 3 tortured souls for 500? It’s sickening

    • @tangoingthekitchen
      @tangoingthekitchen Рік тому +8

      $500 back then was probably the equivalent of 1million today, no a defense just a thought to keep in mind

  • @TimeBucks
    @TimeBucks Рік тому +603

    I felt so sorry for Melissa

  • @ivy_inferno
    @ivy_inferno Місяць тому +7

    I found my father's family in june, he's now 75 and searched for them all his life. This is not the same kind of story, but I totally understand the joy they felt being reunited 💖 This feeling is incredible.

  • @stephm2658
    @stephm2658 Рік тому +1134

    It's so sweet how Jeff, the brother, never gave up trying to find Melissa. I definitely feel like my older brother wouldn't do the same 😒

    • @GloomyMarshmallow
      @GloomyMarshmallow Рік тому +81

      I agree. He didn't even know her yet he had so much love for her to go and find her!

    • @BackstabberDD
      @BackstabberDD Рік тому +41

      Agreed! What an incredible man, with a heart of gold. All the girls are lucky to have him as a brother.

    • @penelopephelange
      @penelopephelange Рік тому +5

      He should've given up lol😂

    • @junglistgrrl
      @junglistgrrl Рік тому +1

      Lol at wouldn't do the same. Did you mean would've?

    • @Jo-hi9oc
      @Jo-hi9oc Рік тому +24

      @@penelopephelange?

  • @claire2134
    @claire2134 Рік тому +1002

    The most poignant aspect of this case to me is the cycle of misfortune occuring here. Alta's mom giving her up led her to having an unstable adult life, which led in part to Melissa's abduction. Then because of the unfortunate events that occured in Melissa's life, all stemming from her kidnapping during her infancy, caused her to have to put her children up for adoption. It's absolutely incredible the chain effect that circumstances from more than half a century ago have on the present here and now.

    • @lilyg8324
      @lilyg8324 Рік тому +109

      Generational curses are real

    • @seinfields
      @seinfields Рік тому +7

      So true

    • @karisno7798
      @karisno7798 Рік тому +40

      Yes, family scripts are a studied social theory. So interesting! Also very common occurrence in the care system

    • @kayleigh3648
      @kayleigh3648 Рік тому +12

      That makes me sad to hear cuz everyone in my family are all effed up to the core. I always thot I’d be the one to break the cycle, but it seems like the cycle never really gets truly broken 😭.

    • @KatieBellino
      @KatieBellino Рік тому +9

      It's kind of weird how the much adoption happened within the same family.

  • @stephaniemontgomery2479
    @stephaniemontgomery2479 Рік тому +540

    The fact that the woman who bought her knew who she was the entire time and never said a word even after she was a grown adult is so sad. I’m just happy that both her bio parents and all her siblings were alive to finally meet her after all these years. God is good…and bless everyone who was involved in bringing her home

    • @MathieuLLF
      @MathieuLLF Рік тому +38

      It's more than sad, it's criminal. She bought a child off the street. She should be in prison.

    • @hollystiener16
      @hollystiener16 Рік тому +3

      @@MathieuLLF I have said the same thing

    • @lulub1433
      @lulub1433 Рік тому +4

      So True. She must be an extra special kind of evil to keep a secret like that

    • @kathrynbeetham5308
      @kathrynbeetham5308 Рік тому +9

      So if "God is good" why did God let this happen in the first place?

    • @stephaniemontgomery2479
      @stephaniemontgomery2479 Рік тому +6

      @@kathrynbeetham5308 God didn’t “let” that happen. God doesn’t stop bad things from happening but He does help us get through them. Good things happen and so do bad things but we have have God by our side through every thing. He helps us through our struggles and our victories

  • @Elizabeth11.11
    @Elizabeth11.11 Рік тому +336

    There should be no statue of limitations for child related crimes!

    • @terramckay5636
      @terramckay5636 2 місяці тому +5

      I agree, we need to find out how we could get it done.

    • @christinajebali9201
      @christinajebali9201 2 місяці тому +1

      Exactly 💯

    • @pennyduncan6861
      @pennyduncan6861 2 місяці тому +6

      I don't really understand why statue of limitations exist, but I'm willing to learn.

    • @lorihassett3537
      @lorihassett3537 2 місяці тому +11

      Child abuse, rape and child abduction should not have statue of limitations.

    • @Cassxowary
      @Cassxowary 2 місяці тому +2

      and it shouldn’t be just for human children either!

  • @gouriiiz
    @gouriiiz Рік тому +154

    Can we start the found series again please?
    I mean having that positive story once every few months is kinda nice 👌🏻

  • @elscheib
    @elscheib Рік тому +648

    It's amazing that she and her parents are all still alive to see the resolution of this case. The parents didn't die without ever finding their daughter like I'm sure the majority do, and she was found alive and well. Good for them.

    • @krista0784
      @krista0784 Рік тому +5

      Yes! That’s what I was thinking. I’m so glad they lived to see their daughter again and know she was okay.

  • @lovelydarkness2010
    @lovelydarkness2010 Рік тому +445

    I’m really happy the mother lived to see her daughter again. A real heart tugging story.

    • @MathieuLLF
      @MathieuLLF Рік тому +26

      And father and siblings.

    • @JulieBurnes
      @JulieBurnes 2 місяці тому

      Tired must sleep m, but actually says she able to reunite m. How'd that possible.?

    • @JulieBurnes
      @JulieBurnes 2 місяці тому

      Amazing... smile

    • @JulieBurnes
      @JulieBurnes 2 місяці тому +1

      Shocking that babies sold...in usa...

    • @JulieBurnes
      @JulieBurnes 2 місяці тому +2

      Great full she was able to accept she's their daughter they never gave up on!!!

  • @GetSicRiCH
    @GetSicRiCH Рік тому +575

    *_Statute of Limitation_* → it seems unfair that a deadline could pass, while the crime is not even revealed. Like, if Melissa _just found out_ after all of these years, that she was abducted, you would think that the *LAW* would begin _when the crime is revealed._ So, Melissa’s parent who raised her after abduction, would face justice, and the time statute would begin upon the moment the crime is discovered.

    • @arbitrary_raspberry
      @arbitrary_raspberry Рік тому +53

      Especially like if you have stolen something 20 years ago (like an object) that's history right?? But a baby?? You know its not normal to buy a human being! They knew her real identitity. Which means they were partaking in this abuction for years. The crime was still going on .. how can a deadline pass then? I don't understand the law sometimes.. doesn't feel like justice to me

    • @chay2033
      @chay2033 Рік тому +24

      Yep that’s the only thing I find kind of disappointing in this story . The woman who bought her should face justice…and maybe if it was the case it might have raised the chances to find the person who abducted her . This situation is a case of human trafficking. That’s a crime . Period .

    • @LisaJoSchiele
      @LisaJoSchiele Рік тому +16

      The Highsmiths hope to get the chance to challenge that law ❤️

    • @dream-nz9yb
      @dream-nz9yb Рік тому +7

      @@chay2033 agreed, she has no remorse. If charges were brought on her, she might give up valuable information for a lesser sentence?

    • @luvsilly60
      @luvsilly60 Рік тому +13

      Seems the crime is ongoing. Limitation should not have started.

  • @leenaalamari7914
    @leenaalamari7914 Рік тому +72

    It’s horrible that someone can watch someone else cry for their missing child while knowing they have them. How do you do that?!

  • @lillianpharis608
    @lillianpharis608 Рік тому +68

    Her father and brother came to my church while in Charleston, and my family helped them get to their vigil to raise awareness and back to the airport. They were so incredibly hopeful and sweet. They were actually turned away from a local mega church and were kicked out by security for asking to pass out flyers, we were so angry for them. But sooo so excited when we heard they had been reunited!!

    • @cherylpemberton1676
      @cherylpemberton1676 2 місяці тому +1

      Much Love and Many Blessings to You, Your Families and YOUR WONDERFUL GENEROUS CHURCH!! God really IS GOOD!!

    • @BamaCyn
      @BamaCyn 2 місяці тому

      IMO those mega churches are all about making the leaders of the church rich.

  • @mzluna313
    @mzluna313 Рік тому +216

    Even in the 70's it was definitely illegal to buy a toddler from a street peddler! The woman who kinda half assed raised her was definitely involved and should be held accountable!

  • @Idiotbox186
    @Idiotbox186 Рік тому +490

    Despite the horrible things that happened to her, Melissa seems like she turned out to be such a sweet woman. So happy for all of them!

  • @montanalloyd7269
    @montanalloyd7269 Рік тому +228

    It is so heartwarming listening to Jeff talk about how he feels it was his life's work to find his older sister. So sweet💕

    • @lornocford6482
      @lornocford6482 Рік тому +10

      The sibling bond is amazing, even for siblings never known to one of them. I think he also really wanted to eleviate his mother's pain.

    • @luciemarinov129
      @luciemarinov129 11 місяців тому

      So happy she was finally reunited with her family. Very dedicated brother to devote himself to finding his lost sister. The evil person who bought her off the streets should be prosecuted fully, should have brought the baby to the police, gave her a horrible life, so it’s forced her to run away at 15 and live as a prostitute have to give up 3 babies for adoption, it’s a miracle she is as well mentally as she is. 😢

  • @deboraholsen2504
    @deboraholsen2504 Рік тому +24

    This story really touches me because I was also abandoned by my 3 month old baby’s father. I was 27 and we also had a 3 year old son. I strongly felt compelled to go back to college asap so that I could become a teacher and support us financially, as their father basically disappeared. I remember I felt so alone and it was so hard to find a good babysitter! I had tried out three babysitters and with one of them, my baby girl would cry all day. FINALLY, when my daughter was nearly two years old, I found the perfect, loving, kind, trustworthy babysitter! I was so happy!!! I was just lucky, though I had been praying for help in finding one. Even so, I had known little about the first three, and there could have been a bad outcome as there was in this story, though I did know where the babysitters lived and it was a home daycare situation. I cannot imagine the pain that Melissa’s parents went through when they lost their precious baby! I will forever be grateful that mine survived during the time I was all alone with them for many years.

  • @safecracker80
    @safecracker80 Рік тому +46

    At 27:44, Melissa says that the woman who raised her had always known she was Baby Melissa. So this woman is guilty of a crime even if she was not the abductor. So Texas had a statute of limitations on child abduction? Crazy.

    • @sherrykrause3410
      @sherrykrause3410 6 місяців тому +5

      Maybe she was really the abductor.

    • @judepower4425
      @judepower4425 2 місяці тому

      @@sherrykrause3410 What does that have to do with the statute of limitations?

  • @shaestewart5261
    @shaestewart5261 Рік тому +251

    The story is amazing! So often, when a missing child is reunited with the birth family after 30, 40 years or more, it’s bittersweet because the parents and/or older siblings have already passed. This story is special and so unique because, eve.after 51 years, Melissa’s entire immediate family is still alive and able to meet their daughter and sister!

  • @TJ-bn2cn
    @TJ-bn2cn Рік тому +102

    It’s very difficult to have an opinion of a mother who is trying to work while having a child and support her child. While the farther just walks away believing his child can live off fresh air! I really feel for this mother.

  • @theresataylor6675
    @theresataylor6675 Рік тому +183

    I just sat and cried. As a mother I can't begin to imagine the pain this family has endured. Thank God for such a happy ending. I wish them nothing but happiness for the future.

  • @TaxTheChurches.
    @TaxTheChurches. Рік тому +35

    Someone please tell me why statutes of limitation exist. Why would a criminal ever grow too old to be a criminal?

  • @ukiealby
    @ukiealby Рік тому +117

    So happy that the parents both lived to see what happened to Melissa 🥺

  • @uubish
    @uubish Рік тому +325

    I hope Melissa writes a book on her life. What a crazy story. My heart hurts for her all the trauma she and her bio family went through for someone else’s selfish gain. For $500?! It’s sickening.

    • @amna_dhanani
      @amna_dhanani Рік тому +7

      Definitely. Need to know more about her life

    • @nanali7245
      @nanali7245 Рік тому

      I hope that big void in all of them is filled now & they can all start healing

    • @StarryInkArt
      @StarryInkArt Рік тому

      Agreed 😔

    • @CherylCurtis-q9s
      @CherylCurtis-q9s 2 місяці тому

  • @cierragayler
    @cierragayler Рік тому +138

    Really happy both parents are alive to see this, hurts my soul when parents pass on and don’t get a “happy ending”

  • @samanthaunger8143
    @samanthaunger8143 Рік тому +358

    Statute of limitations always angers me in cases like these. There should be no time limit put on how this individual destroyed Melissa and her family’s lives 😞 very happy they all got to reunite though ❤

  • @clairecarty906
    @clairecarty906 Рік тому +115

    That is insane! The woman who raised Melissa and bought her off the street is as much liable as the person who kidnapped her! She should have turned this baby into authorities to send her back home. And to hear that Melissa moved out as a teenager and got involved in sex work?! Melissa knew something was off and this woman who raised her was no where to be found. I hope she has some charges.

    • @anitawoods7174
      @anitawoods7174 Рік тому +11

      To me it feels like the women who bought her might be much more involved . Maybe she´ s the one who instigated the whole kidnapping, got the kidnapper to abduct the baby for $500. The ”bought her on the street” doesn´ t sound true

    • @Hbd2002
      @Hbd2002 Рік тому +12

      Why is there a statute of limitations on kidnapping?

    • @artistdrummer45
      @artistdrummer45 11 місяців тому +4

      I agree. Some parts of this story makes no sense. Someone who pays 500dollars for a child off the street has to be seriously disturbed. Where did this person get so much money? Didn't it occur to the person that someone or the police are looking for this child? ALSO, Melissa should be 52 or 53 at the time of the reunion. SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE IS OVER 60 a lot of info is missing here

    • @gottogoalltheway
      @gottogoalltheway Місяць тому

      ​​@@artistdrummer45
      I'm not sure that her looking older doesn't make her not who they say she is.
      For instance
      I am 59 years old
      My cousin is 52 and looks like she is 75 and I'm not exaggerating at all.
      If I could put a pic of her on here.
      You would say I was a lier. I look closer to her age.
      But she looks 15 yrs older than me.
      She did that to herself.
      She (my cousin)wicked
      And looks the part.

  • @terriehumphries6028
    @terriehumphries6028 Рік тому +34

    I have lived in Ft Worth for over 35 years. I remember when my Aunt adopted me, she mentioned this case because she did not want me running off by myself. I was 15 but this was one of those cases that you just heard about. Melissa and I are very close in age so it really hits home to hear about this. I am so glad she was found.

  • @figgityfly
    @figgityfly Рік тому +109

    Thank you for making this video. A friend of mine had a brother that was kidnapped by his father in another country. His brother was missing from age 3 until 19 years old. My friend became a federal worker in the US and searched for his brother and found him. He was living with his father in the states. His brother had no idea his stepmother was not his biological mother. It is a sad story but has a happy ending like this one.

  • @taylornicole7845
    @taylornicole7845 Рік тому +166

    As a new mom I can’t imagine this, poor mom and daughter. I think it’s so amazing she changes her name back to original name and said “the women that raised me” and not my mother, my heart is so happy for everyone in this story
    The fact there is a statute of limitations for cases like is mind blowing, I don’t care if the person is 70+ they deserve to spend there last years in jail

  •  Рік тому +148

    The person who bought her and says she knew she was baby Melissa should also be held responsible... So glad this story had a happy ending after all these years though!

    • @hansolohansolo
      @hansolohansolo Рік тому +36

      Right!? She literally participated in human trafficking and were just going to pretend like that’s not a crime…? If they find a way around the statute of limitations, I hope that person is prosecuted.

    • @seachelle3444
      @seachelle3444 Рік тому +1

      The statute of limitations ran out 20 years after her 18th birthday. There's nothing they can do as of yet

    •  Рік тому +6

      @@seachelle3444 which makes it all the more infuriating!

    • @seachelle3444
      @seachelle3444 Рік тому +4

      @ I agree

    • @tomsevcik1792
      @tomsevcik1792 Рік тому +1

      I think the person will be found and held responsible. If Melissa ended up alive and reunited after all these years theres a same level of hope towards justice.

  • @madelinesilva9362
    @madelinesilva9362 2 місяці тому +5

    I love how respectful you are and that you actively support the cause you're covering.

  • @hufflepunkslitherclaw7436
    @hufflepunkslitherclaw7436 Рік тому +12

    Only at 9 mins, and one thing i always enjoy about your videos is how you humanize people. Its reallt easy for someone to say, "i would never leave my baby with a stranger" but understanding how desperate she was....man.

  • @youngfox9578
    @youngfox9578 Рік тому +161

    Could you imagine your baby being stolen from a loving caring home then sold for $500 just to have a heartbreaking upbringing?! She ran way at 15 years old and turned to sex work while being a minor in order to provide for herself. Then imagine being the parents who finally are reunited with their child after 50+ years and she tells them all the heartache she went through… I’m glad she was able to met her true parents before they passed 💕

    • @MCdreamfaerie
      @MCdreamfaerie Рік тому +3

      Just the thought that the first move would be to sell them? Like bro I'll give you $5000. Give me back my baby. No questions asked. 😔

    • @Cassxowary
      @Cassxowary 2 місяці тому

      yahh tragic but wait until you hear about what’s done to babies of other species for products and testing and all that!

    • @Cassxowary
      @Cassxowary 2 місяці тому

      but probably what happened to maddie mccann too unless whether sex slave or regular slave… and countless other slaves!

    • @Cassxowary
      @Cassxowary 2 місяці тому

      @@MCdreamfaerienot how slavery works…

    • @thnkr0917
      @thnkr0917 2 місяці тому

      @@MCdreamfaerie No one said in the video it was the "first move". We all read into that. She could have been sold any time before she was old enough to remember that missing time. Anything could have happened before roughly school age and Melissa wouldn't remember much and if she did, she probably has rationalized the buyer's role.
      That person who raised her was, likely, NOT just a random buyer. She, at the very least, knew who the seller was.
      What do people think? That someone was standing around singing "Baby for sale, sweet cute baby for sale, five hundred dallah baby.." NO!!! That seller and the buyer knew each other and it was an arranged transaction. The buyer admittedly knew who Melissa was!! She knew she was buying a kidnapped baby/child. She probably knows everything that happened to Melissa in between, as well. Melissa also was, likely, bought for some awful reason, not for a "desperate to adopt" parent, like everyone seems to want to assume. Thus, why the buyer didn't raise her in a loving home. It wasn't out of wanting to adopt a child that she bought her to begin with!
      I have lots of guesses about what really happened, but whatever way it went down, the buyer is guilty as h@ll.

  • @isabelle8836
    @isabelle8836 Рік тому +204

    I felt so sorry for Melissa, she got kidnapped and the family raised her was awful. I am so happy she found her biological family.

  • @CrypticCharm
    @CrypticCharm Рік тому +175

    i read an article about this a few weeks ago, and what Melissa went through after her abduction was heartbreaking. i really hope she gets the help she needs, because her life has been filled with so much trauma. to know that her bio parents were only a few miles away. it's so heartbreaking what this entire family has gone through

  • @maddydow1217
    @maddydow1217 Рік тому +24

    I can't even imagine trying to wrap your head around finding out that you'd been kidnapped and then sold. I hope they're able to spend as much time together as possible and make fantastic memories as a whole family.

  • @Mekanayze
    @Mekanayze Рік тому +135

    She looks alot like her mother, and im so so glad the parents are still alive for the news and to be able to put the mystery to rest.

  • @BrookeClyde
    @BrookeClyde Рік тому +113

    How could you take a baby from a loving family and then not at least give her a good life? Wtf I’m so glad she was reunited with her family ❤

  • @ashleebooks8084
    @ashleebooks8084 Рік тому +419

    Hi, Kendall. Please cover the case of Kamiyah Mobley. You covered a similar case a couple years ago when your channel was taking off, but the cases are extremely different apart from a baby being abducted from a hospital and raised by their kidnapper. Kamiyah Teresiah Tasha Mobley was born on July 10, 1998. That same day, at around three o'clock in the afternoon, baby Kamiyah was kidnapped by a woman named Gloria Williams, who wanted to keep her relationship with her boyfriend, and took Kamiyah so she could pretend that the baby is her daughter. Kamiyah was raised as Alexis Kelli Manigo by Gloria and was found in January 2017 after DNA tests proved she was not Gloria's daughter. Kamiyah still maintains a relationship with her kidnapper and views Gloria as her mother as opposed to her biological mother, Shanara Mobley.

    • @Megan_Truly
      @Megan_Truly Рік тому +50

      Just looked that up, feel so bad for Shanara, how upsetting.

    • @MsBossLadyLola
      @MsBossLadyLola Рік тому +68

      I heard about that story. That’s so nasty and fucked up and sad that she wanted to keep her relationship with her kidnapper. That’s literally Stockholm syndrome

    • @saafiiiraa
      @saafiiiraa Рік тому +71

      @@MsBossLadyLola Obviously she cannot just forget the person she's known as her mother, regardless of her 'mother's' atrocious act.

    • @animestarz1768
      @animestarz1768 Рік тому +77

      I definitely feel for the bio mother, I can't imagine that kind of emotional pain. but I do not think it's unrealistic that Kamiyah still views her kidnapper as her mother. her bio mother is essentially a stranger to her and it will take time to build a bond. it's also traumatic to find out someone who raised you and loved you isn't your actual mother, and she stole you.

    • @bbykashh
      @bbykashh Рік тому

      @@charitysketches I mean when you’re raised by fucked up people like that they make you just as fucked up. That poor lady deserves better it seems like. Fuck her daughter. That’s so messed up. She’s acting like her mom gave her away which I’m almost CERTAIN her kidnapper is telling her that’s the case and the daughter is brainwashed af

  • @shainazion4073
    @shainazion4073 Рік тому +32

    I have a friend that was bought for $5,000.00 in 1966. She has just done DNA testing about 5 years ago. It led her to several relatives.

  • @MunchyLifeTrinidy
    @MunchyLifeTrinidy Рік тому +24

    This is truly such a beautiful ending and Melissa looks so much like her baby pic! I am so sad for her though. The fact that she was purchased by people who didn’t give her a good childhood is truly heartbreaking. I hope she is finding healing and happiness now that she understands more and gets to know her siblings and parents.

  • @scout72430
    @scout72430 Рік тому +112

    So happy she was found, but my heart breaks for the childhood she had. I'll never understand why people buy or adopt or foster children only to abuse them. I hope Melissa is able to heal with her family.

  • @chilltheheckoutwithava1454
    @chilltheheckoutwithava1454 Рік тому +68

    The way she says “my father” Just hit me in the heart 🥲

  • @Pureserpent
    @Pureserpent Рік тому +41

    Brought tears to my eyes, the feeling they must’ve felt must’ve been an incredible high 💕

  • @MaineCoonMama18
    @MaineCoonMama18 Рік тому +10

    It's incredibly heartbreaking that Melissa had such a difficult life when she could and should have been raised by her loving family. I'm so glad they can all be together, heal and build that bond now.

  • @kaylacam692
    @kaylacam692 Рік тому +10

    I know Melissa from Hope Works Church. Met her about a year ago. This was absolutely insane to have so close to home.

  • @WaterBottleBlues101
    @WaterBottleBlues101 Рік тому +16

    I cried watching this. Poor Melissa suffered so much. What a blessing that she found her true family.💞

  • @dawny2985
    @dawny2985 Рік тому +27

    I am just glad her parents were still alive to see this reunion❣

  • @ellzietwinkle1089
    @ellzietwinkle1089 Рік тому +24

    There should never be a statute of limitations on child abductions or child targeted crimes or violent crime. The person who bought Melissa should be charged with purchasing a human being. I am happy she was found & reunited with her biological parents. I do hope to hear more about accountability from this case. Melissa grew up to be a beautiful woman, like her Mom. I hope they can remain close & heal.

    • @JaneDoe-ng3zm
      @JaneDoe-ng3zm Рік тому +1

      In the bible kidnapping had the death penalty it is a REALLY EVIL ACT unforgivable law in our country sucks people that harm children WALK

  • @cheryldian
    @cheryldian Рік тому +11

    Such a heart warming story, Her Dad aged well and you can tell she's been through a lot .

  • @melissajacobs5822
    @melissajacobs5822 Рік тому +41

    Holy crap, there is absolutely NO resemblance in those age progression photos. Not even friggin close 🤦 Im glad that she's been reunited with her family

    • @anikarogers5569
      @anikarogers5569 Рік тому +15

      Finally someone said it, was going to say the same thing.

    • @melissajacobs5822
      @melissajacobs5822 Рік тому +7

      @@anikarogers5569 legit the worst ive seen!

  • @greenie1422
    @greenie1422 Рік тому +61

    Hi Kendall, please consider covering some Irish cases, Amy Fitzpatrick, Noah Donohoe or Raonaid Murray for example. It would be wonderful to see them brought to attention again

  • @mombeach
    @mombeach Рік тому +56

    So horrible! Whoever sold her for $500 needs to be jailed. Also the buyer! My heart goes out to Melissa. So sad she had to be a sex worker to get by. I pray she can be reunited with her 3 Kids someday soon.

  • @sarahpotter9825
    @sarahpotter9825 7 місяців тому +4

    The fact that Melissa refers to the person who bought her as “the person who raised me” and that she left home at 15 and fell into such a hard life breaks my heart to think of what she must have experienced growing up. I think of situations where the person who was stolen sees that person that raised them as their mom and they have a hard time accepting their real family. But in this case she must have gone through some horrible things. She looked so relieved and happy to have a really family. A mom, dad, siblings who are all alive. It’s beautiful.

  • @porkahontas
    @porkahontas Рік тому +4

    I was so happy when I found out that her parents were still alive and able to reconnect with her. Truly a blessing.

  • @harmonyleigh3760
    @harmonyleigh3760 Рік тому +45

    Oh Kendall… you’ve done it again! Always shining light to the darkness. ♥️♥️

  • @KelseyDawnMiller
    @KelseyDawnMiller Рік тому +10

    It’s so exciting not only that she was found & reunited but that her parents are still alive & got an answer!

  • @whitwillie4052
    @whitwillie4052 Рік тому +30

    Not only is it tough for the parents of a missing child to learn they aren’t related to the person being looked for, but I’m sure it’s equally as painful for the once upon a time, child to learn it isn’t a match as well. Im so glad this story has a happy ending

  • @heathercurry2576
    @heathercurry2576 Рік тому +7

    My heart is so happy that both parents were still alive at the time she was found!!

  • @anya425
    @anya425 11 місяців тому +4

    I need to correct you; stranger danger did exist back in 1971, and we, even as kids, were warned about this by our parents in the 1970s.

  • @raechelgrantham8134
    @raechelgrantham8134 Рік тому +37

    There's just a way to your story telling that conveys so much respect and empathy for the victims (living or otherwise) that sets you apart. Thank you for covering this bittersweet story.

  • @jessicayoung6208
    @jessicayoung6208 Рік тому +33

    I’m so surprised you’ve kept up with your channel so much after Holly. But I’m glad you’ve stuck around for us. We all appreciate you and the work you do sharing these stories, raising money for so many good causes, etc. Hope you, Josh and Holly are doing well and staying blessed.

    • @dianneyoungblood689
      @dianneyoungblood689 Рік тому

      Odd…little hats & bows. Definitely a different life for Melissa. Maybe some mental health issues after what she went thru!

  • @dhamarmiranda6446
    @dhamarmiranda6446 Рік тому +11

    Folllwing true crime is such an emotional rollercoaster, but it’s stories and cases like these that make it worth it. It makes it easier to look at the missing posters, share the Facebook post, read the description, etc. I’m so happy for her and her family ❤️

  • @chainamarie03
    @chainamarie03 2 місяці тому +5

    Thankfully all her real family was alive to know Melissa was still alive and to welcome her back home 🎉❤ 35:48

  • @12ctube
    @12ctube Рік тому +4

    Cannot imagine the pain and anxiety of not knowing what happened, so glad Melissa got healthy and safe after such a rough start, unbelievable story

  • @GetSicRiCH
    @GetSicRiCH Рік тому +21

    *Melissa Highsmith* is absolutely adorable!!! i Am so happy for her and her family!!
    𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖊𝖑𝖚𝖏𝖆𝖍 🙌✨

  • @storytimewithkay
    @storytimewithkay Рік тому +7

    I saw this on Instagram and couldn't wait for you to cover it and hear the details! What a happy ending to a rough life for all of them. I hope they have nothing but happiness from here on out. ❤️

  • @christyadkins9218
    @christyadkins9218 Рік тому +6

    Why would a mother pass her daughter off without a phone number, without an address, without anything? That’s crazy.

  • @Joie991
    @Joie991 Рік тому +4

    24 hours?? OMG!! She’s a baby!! That’s incomprehensible even for back then!!

  • @mystery_sauce
    @mystery_sauce Рік тому +14

    He never gave up! That was amazing of him!!! that was great thanks kendall. You gave me the courage to start my own true crime channel

  • @goblin1873
    @goblin1873 Рік тому +38

    My girlfriend and someday wife and I love your content. She introduced me and I love how respectfully you cover these topics.

  • @lisalu7343
    @lisalu7343 Рік тому +64

    As an older viewer, I can guarantee that this person did not consider gloves to keep from transferring DNA. I know it is so ubiquitous now that it is hard to imagine, but as the general public we were not aware of DNA until the OJ Simpson trial in the 90s.

    • @Boing2699
      @Boing2699 Рік тому +2

      They didn’t find Melissa through transferred DNA, they found her through Genealogy database submission from one of her children. 23 and me type website, basically. It lets you know of close relatives. And if the government is trying to find a missing person, they will scan things like that to see if there is a match or any close relatives to the match.

    • @lisalu7343
      @lisalu7343 Рік тому +26

      @@Boing2699 my comment was about Kendall's statement that the person who came to the door to pick up the child was wearing gloves either to conceal the fact that he was not a woman or to keep from transferring DNA. Not about how they found Melissa.

    • @jeisselima
      @jeisselima Рік тому

      So interesting! I was sure on the dna bit but had no idea on the OJ thing

    • @lisalu7343
      @lisalu7343 Рік тому +7

      @@jeisselima Sadly, it was another thing that worked in OJ's favor. The jury did not understand the dna technology since most had not heard of it. If I remember correctly, there was dna matching the victims on the glove found at his house, but after hours of dna testimony trying to explain it, the jury was skeptical. It would probably be a slam dunk today.

    • @good1day726
      @good1day726 Рік тому +8

      She probably meant fingerprints

  • @mfcobb1
    @mfcobb1 Рік тому +5

    I find it weird that a church cleaning business would hire a mother with a toddler and not help with child care. I remember churches back then putting us in the play room in the basement.

  • @debraj7577
    @debraj7577 2 місяці тому +1

    The fact that both parents were still alive is fantastic, as they get closer

  • @michellebonano6384
    @michellebonano6384 Рік тому +16

    My heart really goes out to her. Why buy a child if you’re not gonna do your best to give them a great life? Like wtf! And her bio parents were clearly good loving people 😢

  • @Clemontines
    @Clemontines Рік тому +11

    I heard about this case first from “the vanished” podcast it’s amazing to hear she was found. The exclusive interviews they had on the pod from the family were heartbreaking!! So glad to hear it

  • @amirrhodesve791
    @amirrhodesve791 Рік тому +21

    It makes no sense as why carol couldn't have watched Melissa??? Why would she just hand over a child over to this sus person when you are going to be home looking after you kid? All of this is very suspicious.

    • @stephw1702
      @stephw1702 Рік тому +8

      Agree. Part of me can't help but wonder if it was she who sold Melissa. Really hope that is off the mark.

    • @amirrhodesve791
      @amirrhodesve791 Рік тому +7

      @@stephw1702 that's what I was thinking,.maybe she moved in with her to make this whole plot work? Or something like that? Because there's a big ? Mark about how she disappeared.

  • @SeaShellsSeaShells89
    @SeaShellsSeaShells89 Рік тому +4

    Very glad to hear that this family was reunited with their lost loved one. I hope the guilty are brought to justice.

  • @nena2989
    @nena2989 10 місяців тому +5

    500$ back in the 70s equated almost 4,000$ today. This being said, no amount of money is an excuse to ruin someone’s life

  • @AV-rw7te
    @AV-rw7te Рік тому +11

    Glad both her parents were still alive to see her

  • @sadcase1girl125
    @sadcase1girl125 Рік тому +11

    I love happy endings! So glad that Melissa was reunited with her biological family! After the hard life she has been through, they all deserve to be together and loved!

  • @Emrose93
    @Emrose93 Рік тому +38

    I too recently saw this on the news and was so amazed they found her! Just an incredible story.

  • @DiianaLovee
    @DiianaLovee Рік тому +1

    I live in Fort Worth and I saw this story when it broke through on our neighborhood next door app. I am so happy that the parents were still around to see her 🥰

  • @carrie9367
    @carrie9367 Рік тому +7

    It’s so strange the the woman buying a child on the street and learning that she is a missing child (as Melissa said, she knew) , but never went to the authorities this? Only a guilty person avoids situations like that!

  • @angiedasner
    @angiedasner Рік тому +47

    What a great “found” story. To buy a baby for $500 is unbelievable and then for the baby to have such a bad home experience. I hope her original family and God’s love can help her resolve this emotional trauma.

  • @descaprice1995
    @descaprice1995 Рік тому +19

    Kendall just wanted to thank you for all your hard work , while being a 1st time mom. Your amazing and we love you