Disappearance of Melissa Highsmith

Melissa Highsmith
Born
Melissa Highsmith

(1969-11-06) November 6, 1969
Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Other names
  • Melanie Miyoko
  • Melanie Walden

On August 23, 1971, 22-month old Melissa Highsmith, of Fort Worth, Texas, was abducted by a woman hired to babysit her. In November 2022, Highsmith, still living in the Fort Worth area, was identified through DNA testing, having been raised under a different name and having no knowledge she had been abducted.[1][2][3][4][5]

Background

Melissa Highsmith was born on November 6, 1969, to Alta Apantenco.[6]

Kidnapping

In August 1971, Melissa's mother, 22-year-old Alta Apantenco, placed a newspaper ad seeking a babysitter.[6][7] On August 23, The woman she hired picked up Melissa from Apantenco's apartment, where Apantenco's roommate handed Melissa off. The babysitter never returned Melissa.[8]

After being abducted, Melissa was raised under the name Melanie Miyoko.[9] Although unconfirmed, Highsmith believes the woman who abducted her was also the woman who raised her.[10] Highsmith said in May 2023 that she "didn't have a good life," and she ran away from home at age 15.[9][11]

Investigation

The investigation of Highsmith's disappearance went cold shortly after she was abducted.[10]

In September 2022, an anonymous tip led to an investigation of a woman named Melanie Walden in the Fort Worth area.[6][7] Highsmith's father reached out to Melanie through a private message on Facebook.[8] A 23andMe DNA test and matching birthmark confirmed the woman, who was going by the name Melanie, as the missing Melissa Highsmith.[6] Melissa also confirmed her identity after speaking to the woman who raised her.[8] According to Highsmith's family, the initial DNA investigation was initiated by the family and was conducted privately, without police,[6] but Fort Worth Police offered to conduct further DNA testing with the family if they wished.[8]

Although the criminal statute of limitations expired on Highsmith's 38th birthday, police have said they will continue the investigation to "uncover all of the available information concerning Melissa’s abduction".[8]

Aftermath

In November 2022, Melissa Highsmith reunited with her parents and two of her siblings in Fort Worth.[6] In the years after Melissa's abduction, Apantenco had four more children.[8]

In May 2023, Fort Worth Police completed their own DNA testing, further confirming Highsmith's identity.[11] That month, Highsmith legally reverted her name to Melissa, after living for decades under the name Melanie Walden.[12]

References

  1. ^ Davis, Patricia. ""We Found Her!" - Baby Melissa Abducted 51 Years Ago". Missing Kids.org. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  2. ^ "Lookback at Some of Fort Worth's Most Famous Cold Cases and the Role of DNA". Fort Worth Star Telegram. Jun 11, 2025. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  3. ^ Hackney, Suzette (November 29, 2022). "She Was Stolen from Her Parents 51 Years Ago. How Can No One be Held Responsible?". USA Today. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  4. ^ Debusmann Jr., Bernd (November 29, 2022). "Missing Daughter Reunited with Family after 51 Years". BBC. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  5. ^ Keller, Alex; Starling, Nick (November 27, 2022). "Melissa Highsmith, Missing for 51 Years, found in Fort Worth". CBS News. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Texas Woman Found by Family 51 Years After Being Kidnapped as Baby". The Guardian. November 28, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  7. ^ a b Pack, Jasmine (November 27, 2022). "FOUND: Melissa Highsmith, Kidnapped Toddler from Texas, Located 51 Years Later". KATU 2 ABC. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Killough, Ashley; Lavandera, Ed (2022-11-29). "DNA match reunites missing daughter with her family 51 years after she was kidnapped, family says". CNN. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
  9. ^ a b Kantor, Wendy Grossman (May 22, 2023). "Texas Woman Kidnapped from Home 51 Years Ago as Toddler Changes Name Back to One Given by Parents". People.com. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  10. ^ a b "'A Bad Childhood': Woman Reunited with Family 51 Years After Being Kidnapped as Toddler Speaks Out". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on 2023-02-28. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
  11. ^ a b "Police Confirm ID of Woman Reunited With Her Family 51 Years After Her Abduction". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
  12. ^ Quillen, Alanna (May 17, 2023). "Fort Worth Woman Abducted as Baby Officially Changes Name Back to Birth Name". NBC DFW. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
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