Police DNA test CONFIRMS Texas woman, 53, is baby abducted by last minute babysitter 51 years ago: Abducted infant was raised by woman just 10 minutes away from her real family

Daily Mail ^ | 5/6/23 | Kamal Sultan

[CFW]

A DNA test has confirmed the identity of a Texan woman who was reunited with her family last year after being abducted as a toddler 51 years ago.

Melissa Highsmith, now 53, was taken from her parents' Fort Worth home in 1971 by a babysitter when she was just 22 months old

She was miraculously reunited with her biological parents - Jeffrie Higshmith, 72; Alta Alpantenco, 73 and siblings - Rebecca Del Bosque, 48; Vicitoria Highsmith, 47; Sharon Highsmith, 45 and Jeffrey Highsmith, 42 - on November 26.

[CFW]

Churches and the neighborhood grocery store was the equivalent of social media 50 years ago. With how quickly gossip was spread back then, I'm surprised she was not discovered at the time. Especially since living so close to her biological family.

How horrible that this family had to suffer all these years. But, I'm glad her parents are still alive and able to finally have their daughter in their lives again.

[joma89]

Hang the kidnapper.

[Chewbarkah]

Assuming the kidnapper is still alive and has a “good” lawyer, watch for her to declare that the parents failed to pick up the child as agreed and demand payment for 51 years of babysitting at the original rate of $2 per hour = $894,096 (includes 12 leap days).

[Right Brother]

I had similar thoughts. Perhaps the kidnappers isolated the child until a few years passed making visual ID more difficult. That being said, it still is puzzling. Would not the kidnappers have friends or neighbors or family that would question the sudden arrival of a 2 yr. old child in their midst?

[TexasFreeper2009]

the article says the statute of limitations might have expired on this!!!

so the kidnapper might get away scott free for taking someones life away for 51 YEARS!!!!!!!!!

[crusty old prospector]

We, as a nation, are too soft on crime.

[usurper]

I'm surprised she was not discovered at the time. Especially since living so close to her biological family.

Something is not adding up here, the family didn't know who their babysitter was?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

RTA

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I always thought 23 and me was kinda creepy, but if I had a lost sibling, or similar situation, you can bet I would be on it.

[Tea Drinker]

I read her story on the Daily Mail last night. I believe the woman who stole her sold to someone for $500. Both of them should be executed. Melissa was sexually abused during her childhood by her “stepfather”. She ran away at 15 and at times lived on the streets and worked as a prostitute. She had 3 children taken away from her. I think her kids were 23 and Me DNA link to Melissa’s biological father. Parts of the article were written so poorly it was hard to understand.

[deport]

[joe fonebone]

I was talking to Mrs. Fonebone about this.
There was a time when pedophiles would just disappear, never to be heard from again.
There was also a time when wife beaters would wind up at the front door of the emergency room beat up...
We need to return to those times

[suthener]

“We, as a nation, are too soft on crime.”

We don’t have the stomach as a society to incarcerate all the black males we would have to to really reduce crime.

[logi_cal869]

We need to return to those times

Absolutely. Immediately. Without hesitation, but with prudence, planning, backup & alibi. You join a growing chorus; I've been blowing that horn for years now, except that I've added those who've absconded their legal responsibilities to the list...

[Vaduz]

Amen