Missing Baby Found After 51 Years: The Incredible Story of Melissa Highsmith
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- Опубліковано 16 січ 2023
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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!
I been thinking it was my Wi-Fi the wholeeee time! Love your podcasts and your husbands!!!
No worries
It’s still a great listen! Thank you for the awesome video
It's messed up on my Roku tv. But fine on my phone. So weird
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 😂
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.
Exactly what i was thinking! Like just return the baby and let her live out her life with her family!
Isn't that hilarious? 😂 she totally deserved it
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.
My thoughts exactly.
@@barbaramcmillan3835 EXACTLY!!
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
That's terrifying!!!
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
That’s so crazy
Where was this located?
Thats scary I was born in 1991
My sister has been missing for 39 years . Stories like this keep the hope in my heart ❣️
🙏🙏
Have you had DNA done on Ancestry and 23 & me ?
I will pray for you. So very sad, but there is hope!
My brother has been missing also for 39 years, since July 1984! Horrific!!!!!
I'm so sorry in both directions
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.
She was abducted just to be sold on the street for a measly $500?! Her entire life was ruined for $500?!?! That's insane.
And to top it off she didn’t even give her a good life , poor girl
I’m pretty sure that’s like 3k during those times but still ur right
@@headfirst_forhalos very close. $500 in 1971 is equivalent to $3,664.16 today. Crazy
Not just her I expect her parents lives were ruined too. Atleast 3 tortured souls for 500? It’s sickening
$500 back then was probably the equivalent of 1million today, no a defense just a thought to keep in mind
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.
LMAO she's only worth $500 what a loser
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.
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.
Supposedly. I mean, who knows for sure. The woman who raised Melissa doesn't sound like someone of good character so anything's possible.
@@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
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.
Yes, both the kidnapper and the woman who raised Melissa need to be prosecuted! So evil!
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.
I can’t begin to imagine this mother’s pain
❤❤❤
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!
@@phyllislindeboom2215💔
@@phyllislindeboom2215hi Phyllis I just wrote a comment under your name on the story about Natalie on nightmare in suburbia ❤❤❤❤
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.
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
I agree!!!
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.
She knew so she should be charged and face prison
It's infuriating! It's like this person bought a puppy off some random person and after a while got tired of it! 🤯
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!
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??
100 percent!! She knew that she was abducted. She shouldn’t have her identity kept private and she should be investigated !
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 !
@@hansolohansolo you have to buy people in order to adopt 💀what’s the difference between this and adoption
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#
I’m really happy the mother lived to see her daughter again. A real heart tugging story.
And father and siblings.
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.
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
@@hazelsunman1133You and me both. I don't think I would be able to go on. I would crumble. 😢
Jesus helped her to reunite with her birth-family . AMEN
❤❤❤
Were her raising parents charged for kidnapping?
She had 11 siblings in the area and not 1 could babysit or foster?
Happy endings are the reason I get invested in true crime. Whether it’s someone being found, or someone being brought to legal justice, these are the stories that bring us here
👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼
@@KendallRae May you please turn on auto captioning
I choked on my lasagna when I read your name
Me too I like true crime. It's someone being found, or someone being brought to legal justice, these are the stories that bring us here
@@tayloranderson7547 it started with Charles Manson La Lady. i was so glad they got him. Loved Helter Skelter, The rxevutioners song and In cold blood. I wss 6
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.
Generational curses are real
So true
Yes, family scripts are a studied social theory. So interesting! Also very common occurrence in the care system
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 😭.
It's kind of weird how the much adoption happened within the same family.
There should be no statue of limitations for child related crimes!
I felt so sorry for Melissa
very nice
Nice post
thumbs up
Very good
very good
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 😒
I agree. He didn't even know her yet he had so much love for her to go and find her!
Agreed! What an incredible man, with a heart of gold. All the girls are lucky to have him as a brother.
He should've given up lol😂
Lol at wouldn't do the same. Did you mean would've?
@@penelopephelange?
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.
Yes! That’s what I was thinking. I’m so glad they lived to see their daughter again and know she was okay.
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 💕
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. 😔
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.
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!! ❤
The confusing thing, why go through all of that just to give the child a poverty life
@@sidology1.0 Exactly, so weird
They stole a baby and sold it for $500. They ruined so many lives for $500. Unimaginable!
The reason we have euthanize so many animals impulse purchase
@@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.
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!
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.
Can we start the found series again please?
I mean having that positive story once every few months is kinda nice 👌🏻
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
It's more than sad, it's criminal. She bought a child off the street. She should be in prison.
@@MathieuLLF I have said the same thing
So True. She must be an extra special kind of evil to keep a secret like that
So if "God is good" why did God let this happen in the first place?
@@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
*_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.
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
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 .
The Highsmiths hope to get the chance to challenge that law ❤️
@@chay2033 agreed, she has no remorse. If charges were brought on her, she might give up valuable information for a lesser sentence?
Seems the crime is ongoing. Limitation should not have started.
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.
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
Why is there a statute of limitations on kidnapping?
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
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 ❤
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!
She's precious! At least that's my impression from seeing the footage of her.
She should've stayed missing haha
@@penelopephelange Shut your mouth.
@@penelopephelange why?
@@strawberrrys Cause it'd be hilarious 😂
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💕
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.
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. 😢
It’s horrible that someone can watch someone else cry for their missing child while knowing they have them. How do you do that?!
So happy that the parents both lived to see what happened to Melissa 🥺
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.
Definitely. Need to know more about her life
I hope that big void in all of them is filled now & they can all start healing
Agreed 😔
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!
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!!
The way she says “my father” Just hit me in the heart 🥲
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 ❤
I agree with you.
Kidnapping was up to the day she found out.
I so agree!
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.
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.
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.
Really happy both parents are alive to see this, hurts my soul when parents pass on and don’t get a “happy ending”
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!
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.
The statute of limitations ran out 20 years after her 18th birthday. There's nothing they can do as of yet
@@seachelle3444 which makes it all the more infuriating!
@ I agree
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.
I just came upon your story Kendall, doing a search for Melissa's story to show my best friend.I love watching your videos.y uncle is Jeffrey Highsmith. I got to meet Melissa in March at a family gathering, and she is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Thank you so much for doing her story
Makes our hearts so full
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
I am just glad her parents were still alive to see this reunion❣
I cried watching this. Poor Melissa suffered so much. What a blessing that she found her true family.💞
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.
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.
Just looked that up, feel so bad for Shanara, how upsetting.
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
@@MsBossLadyLola Obviously she cannot just forget the person she's known as her mother, regardless of her 'mother's' atrocious act.
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.
@@PainterFleites 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
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.
Why would a mother pass her daughter off without a phone number, without an address, without anything? That’s crazy.
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.
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.
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.
Odd…little hats & bows. Definitely a different life for Melissa. Maybe some mental health issues after what she went thru!
It’s so exciting not only that she was found & reunited but that her parents are still alive & got an answer!
imagine being so selfish that you buy someone else’s baby and not only that but you can’t even properly take care of the baby so that she becomes a run away???
like are you serious!?!
and you KNOW whose baby it is and you don’t even say anything, no anonymous letter or anything to give her real family a chance to save the child you were responsible for ruining.
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
Finally someone said it, was going to say the same thing.
@@anikarogers5569 legit the worst ive seen!
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.
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
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 ❤️
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.
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.
@@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.
So interesting! I was sure on the dna bit but had no idea on the OJ thing
@@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.
She probably meant fingerprints
Brought tears to my eyes, the feeling they must’ve felt must’ve been an incredible high 💕
Such a heart warming story, Her Dad aged well and you can tell she's been through a lot .
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. ❤️
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
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
As someone who is adopted and found my biological family about 12 years ago, thanks to the internet, I know how overwhelming it is to reunite with your birth family and as an adult, getting to know a large group of people and their life stories and sharing yours with them takes time, effort, patience, understanding and allowing yourself to trust and be vulnerable but its also very rewarding if the experience is positive.
Its sad that the Statue of limitations has expired but the best justice here has already been served. I'm sorry Melissa went through a rough time in her life and it makes you wonder why someone would go through illegally becoming a parent, just to neglect the care of that child but its obvious that perhaps that person's heart wasn't fully in it to began with, obviously.
None the less, technology is amazing, dangerous at times but amazing none the less and DNA and the internet has allowed such a fulfilling reunion. Jeff is amazing. His diligence and dedication has helped change lives!
GOD bless NECMEC and Mrs. Rae as well, for helping to change people lives for the better as well as all those that make contributions, it is grately appreciated and I am wishing everyone the best!
You are amazing Mrs. Rae. I appreciate how you use your channel, platforms and influence to do such positively amazing things. Please keep going! 🙏🏾💛🙏🏾
I found my bio-father's family when I was 65 thru DNA testing. He had passed away much earlier. They welcomed me with open, loving arms and totally accepted me as a key part of the family that was just misplaced for a while. I know that it doesn't happen to everyone like that.
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.
Oh Kendall… you’ve done it again! Always shining light to the darkness. ♥️♥️
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.
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.
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
My girlfriend and someday wife and I love your content. She introduced me and I love how respectfully you cover these topics.
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.
Agree. Part of me can't help but wonder if it was she who sold Melissa. Really hope that is off the mark.
@@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.
I was so happy when I found out that her parents were still alive and able to reconnect with her. Truly a blessing.
I’ve been following you for 3-4 years now!!! You have come so far girl and i’m so happy for your husband & you & your precious baby girl!!
*Melissa Highsmith* is absolutely adorable!!! i Am so happy for her and her family!!
𝖍𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖊𝖑𝖚𝖏𝖆𝖍 🙌✨
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
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!
Wow this case really touched me...I can't stop crying! Thank you kendall and thank ncmec for all your hard work!
I'm watching True crime less and less nowadays, however , I love Kendall's voice and how she delivers stories, so here I am. ❤️
I always love the way you tell a story! I'm even more of a fan to know that you're using your platform for positive influence and donations! Thank you!
your videos bring so much attention to people on missing people cases and just in general cases and i am so happy to be subscribed to someone who uses their platform to help others !!! ❤❤❤ love you
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 😢
I hope the lady who bought and concealed Melissa is brought to justice. I'm glad Jesus saved and restored her. God is good!
It is so nice to hear something so uplifting in this time I hope they all become very happy and learning about each other may God-bless that entire family.
Glad both her parents were still alive to see her
To anyone that might be reading this, I wish that whatever is hurting you or whatever you are constantly stressing about gets better. I sincerely wish everyone that happiness enters your hearts and let all the stress and sadness vanish out of your life...as you know nothing in life is ever easy, but what's important is that you keep going!
you're worthy of love and happiness, never allow anyone to tell you otherwise! It can be extra hard sometimes but stay strong and hang in there, your life matters, no one can replace you, I'm thankful you're born and I'm sure your struggles will pass soon! I wish all of you plenty of health and strength during these tough times. remember you are strong, you got this! never forget that!
sending much love over towards all of you, May god or whatever you might believe in bless you the way you need it to!
♥️🌟
You’re a wonderful person, thank you and God bless you!
My heart is so happy that both parents were still alive at the time she was found!!
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 🥰
So happy to see you today! Love your stories and thank you for ALL you do!
Kendall just wanted to thank you for all your hard work , while being a 1st time mom. Your amazing and we love you
I’ve just seen this video. No idea how I missed it. Kendall this the best video you’ve done! The happy ending, the info videos from NCMEC and your compassion are just amazing! I’ve a complete true crime junkie and you’re right, it’s so good to see an uplifting case. Thank you and I wish so much happiness for the Highsmiths.
Stories like this makes me appreciate how overly strict and protective my mom was when I was little. I used to hate that I didn’t have my own life but now I’m grateful my mom wasn’t that easy trusting
Same!
I too recently saw this on the news and was so amazed they found her! Just an incredible story.
I can't imagine living my entire life thinking I was someone else and missing out on growing up with my siblings 😢