
“She was like an angel,” is how Joe Newton described his daughter Michelle Newton, with whom he was able to be with meet again after searching for her for 40 years. Michelle’s case shocked the United States She also didn’t know what her true identity was. after her mother took her away in 1983 and she lived under a different name for decades.
According to local media, the reunion took place just in time for the celebrations. WESH2. For Newton, this moment was priceless: “I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It just was.” I saw her for the first time when she was born. “He was like an angel.”
Michelle was reported missing by her father in 1983 I was just 3 years old. Joe and his wife Debra Newton were preparing to move to the state of Georgia. But when Joe returned home, he found that his wife had fled with their daughter.
Joe searched for both for years.and the family didn’t know if Michelle was still alive. In 2005, Michelle’s case was removed from the missing children database. Still, Joe’s love and hope of finding her remained strong: “She was always in our hearts,” he told local media. Just a stroke of luck and Anonymous tip They allowed the case to be solved 20 years later.
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Michelle Newton, who was kidnapped by her mother for 40 years, is found alive
This year, researchers got a clue crime fighterabout the possible whereabouts of the girl lost in Kentucky. The note had indicated that his mother, Debra Newtonmatched a 66-year-old woman from Marion County, Florida, who She lived under the name “Sharon”.
Sharon had remarried and was retired lived in the villagesa famous retirement community with more than 150,000 residents, 80% of whom are over 55 and the average age is 71.
“You are not who you think you are”: The moment Michelle Newton learned the whole truth
The news meant 43-year-old Michelle had to discover her true identity when she found police on her doorstep. The agents told her she was a missing person: “You are not who you think you are. You are a missing person. You are Michelle Marie Newton.”
Debra Newton was returned to Jefferson County in Louisville, Kentucky, where she appeared in court on Monday, December 15th. The Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said he was charged with one count criminal interference in the correctional facility.
The Kidnapping charge with criminal interference in the correctional facility No medications are prescribed in Kentuckyconfirmed the public prosecutor. Therefore, Debra Newton is expected to appear in court again in January 2026.
Despite the radical change in his life, Michelle holds no grudge against her mother for hiding his true story from him. In statements reported to WESH 2, he stated, “My intention is to support them both and try to help them both get through this.” we can all heal“.