Find out ‘Who Are Melissa Highsmith Mom And Dad?’ Alta Apantenco and Jeffrie Highsmith, the parents of Melissa Highsmith, were filled with immense joy upon being reunited with their daughter after more than 50 years. Melissa’s abduction at the age of 22 months in August of 1971 had sent shockwaves through the Fort Worth community.
Despite years of searching for answers, it took over five decades for Melissa to finally reunite with her birth family, bringing an end to a long and emotional journey. Her kidnapper, Ruth Johnson, had posed as a nanny and kept her true identity hidden from her for many years.
Melissa’s mother, who was a single parent at the time, had advertised for a babysitter in a newspaper, which led to Johnson’s involvement in the abduction. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children had documented the limited leads and evidence in the case, highlighting the risks associated with entrusting children to strangers.
Who Are Melissa Highsmith Mom And Dad? Meet Alta Apantenco And Jeffrie Highsmith
Melissa Highsmith’s parents are Alta Apantenco and Jeffrie Highsmith. On August 23, 1971, Alta Apantenco left her 21-month-old daughter in the care of a roommate, who then passed her on to a babysitter. At the time, Alta Apantenco was working as a waitress and had recently separated from Melissa’s father, Jeffrie Highsmith.
After her separation from Jeffrie Highsmith, Alta Apantenco moved to Fort Worth and placed an advertisement in a newspaper seeking a caregiver for Melissa. Tragically, it was during this time that Melissa was abducted, sparking a decades-long search for answers.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children documented the case, which highlighted the immense anguish and unwavering determination of Melissa’s parents to find their daughter.
Melissa Highsmith Siblings And Family
Melissa Highsmith’s family, including her mother Alta Apantenco, her father Jeffrie Highsmith, and her siblings Garner, Sharon Highsmith, Rebecca Del Bosque, and Jeff Highsmith, have a powerful message for those searching for missing loved ones: “Never give up” and “Chase every lead.”
After over 50 years since Melissa’s abduction by her babysitter in Texas, her family finally experienced overwhelming joy as they were reunited with their long-lost sister. Through their unwavering determination and a DNA test, they were able to track Melissa down without the assistance of law enforcement or external involvement.
The resilience and unwavering commitment of Melissa’s siblings and family in finding her is a testament to the enduring bond of love and the pursuit of justice.
How Was Melissa Highsmith Found?
After over 50 years since Melissa’s abduction by her babysitter in Texas, her family finally experienced overwhelming joy as they were reunited with their long-lost sister. Through their unwavering determination and a DNA test, they were able to track Melissa down without the assistance of law enforcement or external involvement.
The resilience and unwavering commitment of Melissa’s siblings and family in finding her is a testament to the enduring bond of love and the pursuit of justice.
Lisa Jo Schiele, an amateur genealogist and clinical laboratory scientist, collaborated closely with the family to interpret the DNA results and conduct research using public records. The Vanished Podcast, which featured the family’s story, introduced them to Schiele. Working together, they were able to reunite Melissa with her parents and two of her four siblings over the Thanksgiving weekend in 2022. The discovery brought immense joy and emotional reactions from Melissa’s family, who expressed overwhelming happiness and disbelief that they had finally found their long-lost sister.
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