A Texas family has new hope that their 22-month old daughter who was kidnapped five decades ago is still alive — and is living 1,100 miles away from where she was last seen in 1971.
The Highsmith family has never given up hope. They maintain aFacebook groupin the hopes that someone will spot Melissa, who would turn 53 next month.
On September 9, the family may have gotten the break they’ve been waiting for. A tipster saw age-progressed photos of Melissa and contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, claiming to have seen her on Daniel Island in South Carolina.
Melissa Highsmith.National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (2)
Melissa’s father and brother have flown more than 1,100 miles to hand out fliers and host vigils in the hopes of finding the unidentified woman. They have several volunteers who are helping them look.
“We hope that she is here on Daniel Island and tonight we’re getting a group together to pray that she’s finally returned to her family reunited and that her parents who are now in her 70s can get some peace knowing that she’s safe and sound,” Melissa Engdahl, a family volunteer, tellsABC News 4.
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In a news release to theFort Worth Star-Telegram, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children urged the public to speak up if they have any tips.
“Even though we don’t know if this tip will lead to answers, we know law enforcement is working steadfastly and we hope that his information and the renewed attention the public has for Melissa will continue to bring awareness that she is still missing,” writes John Bischoff, vice president of the missing children division at NCMEC. “We know that answers are always possible. The public is vital to bringing home missing children and we know that it only takes one person to see the right thing, report it and help bring a missing child home.”
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Melissa Highsmith is urged to contact the family through theFacebook group.
source: people.com
