Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sl8

(16,275 posts)
Mon Nov 28, 2022, 08:51 AM Nov 2022

Melissa Highsmith, missing for 51 years, found in Fort Worth

https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/melissa-highsmith-missing-for-51-years-found-in-fort-worth/

Melissa Highsmith, missing for 51 years, found in Fort Worth

BY ALEX KELLER, NICK STARLING
NOVEMBER 27, 2022 / 3:52 PM / CBS DFW

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) — It's an early Christmas miracle for one Fort Worth family. A woman who disappeared over five decades ago was found in Fort Worth this week, her family announced Sunday.

Melissa Highsmith went missing when she was kidnapped by a babysitter at her parents' Fort Worth home in 1971. She was just 22 months old at the time of her disappearance.

Over the next 51 years, Highsmith's family and police searched diligently for her, even following up on recent tips about possible sightings in North Carolina.

In the end, however, Melissa was found living in Fort Worth under the name Melanie Walden.

[...]

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Melissa Highsmith, missing for 51 years, found in Fort Worth (Original Post) sl8 Nov 2022 OP
WOW . .. Lovie777 Nov 2022 #1
Wow is right. underpants Nov 2022 #2
Same here Sanity Claws Nov 2022 #4
The person who raised her knew her identity Roxi Nov 2022 #5
Just beautiful peppertree Nov 2022 #3
I recently listened to a podcast about her Jilly_in_VA Nov 2022 #6

Sanity Claws

(22,062 posts)
4. Same here
Mon Nov 28, 2022, 11:51 AM
Nov 2022

She might have bounded with the family who kidnapped her. Can you imagine how you would feel if as an adult you learned that you were abducted by the people who raised you?

Roxi

(2,162 posts)
5. The person who raised her knew her identity
Mon Nov 28, 2022, 12:28 PM
Nov 2022

So it’s possible (likely?) that she was raised by the kidnapper.

I don’t envy that family. Lots of awkward conversations need to be held.

peppertree

(22,850 posts)
3. Just beautiful
Mon Nov 28, 2022, 11:25 AM
Nov 2022

Reminds me of the Argentine grandmothers who've found their grandkids, decades after they were abducted from their (then murdered) parents during the fascist dictatorship in '76-'78.

I can't imagine the feeling.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Texas»Melissa Highsmith, missin...