Current Date: 22 Jun, 2026
{{entry.title}}

A woman who had been lost since she was a newborn 51 years ago was said to have been spotted

A woman who had been lost since she was a newborn for 51 years was reported to have been sighted.

The missing woman, known as Melissa Highsmith, was reported as having been seen last month by a tipper, according to a tweet from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in the US.

On August 23, 1971, Melissa, who was only 21 months old, disappeared from Fort Worth, Texas. In Charleston, South Carolina, more than a thousand miles from where she vanished, she was allegedly seen.

John Bischoff, director of NCMEC’s Missing Children Division, says it’s uncommon to get tips about missing person cases that are older than ten years. It’s not impossible, though, and the group is pleased that Melissa’s case is still in progress despite the passage of time.

Bischoff told Fox News Digital, “At NCMEC, we will never forget about a missing kid, and we are happy to see that much of the community has not forgotten about Melissa either.

Bischoff called it “amazing” that the tipster still recognized Melissa despite the significant age difference between the middle-aged Melissa and the infant photo that was used to identify her.

According to NCMEC, Melissa was kidnapped by the babysitter her mother had hired to look over her.

Melissa’s mother, who worked as a waitress at the time of her disappearance, had advertised in a neighborhood newspaper to find a babysitter for her little daughter. The woman who responded to the advertisement was to meet with Melissa’s mother at the restaurant, but she never did.

Later, the woman called Melissa’s mother and expressed her desire for the position. She then disclosed to her that she had a sizable yard and was also looking after other kids.

The hired babysitter arrived to pick up Melissa from their residence. The babysitter was described by the mother’s roommate as “pleasant and was dressed to impress” while the mother was at work.

Melissa was not given back to her mother, therefore that was the last time she would see her.

NCMEC advised concerned residents who may have information to call them after reporting that the tipster observed Melissa in the vicinity of Daniel Island.

Similar Stories
Couple reunites after 60 years apart

Couple reunites after 60 years apart

A Russian couple were reunited after being separated for 60 years. They were married for 3 days when the husband left to join the Red Army. They were unable to find each other until 60 years later when they randomly visited their hometown on the same day.

The world’s longest flight spent more than two months in the air

The world’s longest flight spent more than two months in the air

Roberts Timm and Jim Cook, two pilots, flew an aircraft for more than two months without landing in 1958. Matching the speed of a truck moving down the road to refuel. A mattress for sleeping, a small steel sink for personal hygiene, the removal of most interior fittings to reduce weight, and a basic autopilot were among the improvements.

The Crystal Maiden of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

The Crystal Maiden of the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

Located in Belize, there is a cave where the remnants of ancient Maya human sacrifices can be witnessed. However, reaching the back of the cave system requires swimming, wading through a cave river, and crawling through narrow, uneven rocky passages in darkness. Once there, visitors can walk among the numerous corpses of sacrifice victims, including The Crystal Maiden, an 18-year-old whose skeleton has become calcified to the point of sparkling.

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

There is a 300-year-old mummified mermaid with 30 centimetres tall and features a human-like head, two hands with what appear to be fingernails, and its lower body that look like a fish tail. The “mermaid mummy” is being probed by Japanese scientists in an attempt to unravel the mystery of its existence.

How hero parrot saved little girl who was choking on her breakfast

How hero parrot saved little girl who was choking on her breakfast

In 2008 Quaker parrot Willie alerted his owner Megan Howard when the little girl she was babysitting began to choke. Howard was in the bathroom when the parrot repeatedly yelled "Mama! Baby!" flapping his wings. Megan rushed and performed the Heimlich maneuver, saving her life. Willie received the Red Cross Animal Lifesaver Award.

How Magic Johnson Missed Out On $7 Billion Nike deal

How Magic Johnson Missed Out On $7 Billion Nike deal

Magic Johnson turned down a deal with Nike in 1979 that offered him 100,000 shares of stock and $1 for every pair of shoes sold. Instead, he chose Converse, which offered him $100,000 per year. Johnson lost about $5 billion by declining the Nike deal.

Man uses first-class ticket to eat for free at airport's VIP lounge for almost a year

Man uses first-class ticket to eat for free at airport's VIP lounge for almost a year

A Chinese man purchased a First Class Ticket, which included admission to a VIP Lounge with free food. Over the course of a year, he rescheduled over 300 times in order to receive over 300 free dinners. When questioned, it was discovered that he is rescheduling his reservation to another date after eating. He eventually cancelled the ticket and got a full refund.