AGAINST ALL ODDS How a DNA Test Unraveled a 50-Year-Old Mystery
As a parent, there’s no scenario more horrifying than your child going missing or getting abducted. Most of us can’t even imagine the despair and helplessness many parents have felt after the unimaginable happens to their family. There’s always hope the child resurfaces, even after many years — and one Fort Worth family recently learned why you should never give up that hope. In 1971, Alta Apantenco placed an advertisement in the local newspaper for a babysitter for her 21-month-old daughter, Melissa. Apantenco was recently separated from her husband and struggled to make ends meet. A woman named Ruth Johnson responded to the ad and agreed to meet Alta to discuss the position but never showed up. Ruth called Apantenco back days later, stating that she had a large backyard and would love to watch Melissa there. Desperate for child care, Apantenco agreed. A woman wearing
white gloves and multiple scarves in the August heat came to pick up Melissa from Apantenco’s roommate at her apartment — and that was the last anyone saw Melissa for over 50 years. The family searched for decades to no avail. Then, in November 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip that Melissa was in South Carolina. While that lead didn’t pan out, the family felt reinvigorated to restart the search. Melissa’s father submitted a DNA test to 23andMe, and when the results came back, he learned about a granddaughter he didn’t know he had. Through some sleuthing, the family found Melissa under a different name on Facebook. It took time to convince Melissa that she had been kidnapped, but after the family asked her about a birthmark, there was no doubt in her mind. The woman who raised her had been abusive, so Melissa ran away at age 15 and eventually started a family of her own in a town less than 20 miles from where she was kidnapped. She’s since reconnected with her family and looks forward to making up for their missed time together. “It’s overwhelming, but at the same time, it’s the most wonderful feeling in the world,” Melissa stated.
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Baked Salmon With Garlic and Lemon
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a zesty dish that combines salmon with the vibrant flavors of garlic and lemon!
Ingredients
• 2 lbs salmon fillets • 4 cloves garlic, minced • Juice of 2 lemons • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano • 1 tsp dried thyme • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Place the salmon fillets on the baking dish. 3. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the salmon. 4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through. Serve and enjoy!
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