At some point in almost every parent’s life, they will have to hire a babysitter to look after their child.

Even though you try to do your best to find a responsible person to care for your kid, some people are always up to no good.

In 1971 this was made clear to young mother Alta Apatenco when the woman she hired to care for her infant child had other plans for the girl.

Alta was returning to work after her maternity leave with her young daughter Melissa, and she needed to find someone to help watch the girl as she made the transition back to work.

She placed an ad in the local newspaper and was happy to receive a reply from what seemed like a responsible young woman who was willing to watch the girl.

On the very first day of their arrangement, the woman came to pick up Melissa from Alta’s apartment.

Alta kissed her daughter and handed her to the woman who she believed would be taking care of the girl for the day.

This was, unfortunately, the last time Alta would see her daughter for the next 51 years.

When evening rolled around and Melissa was due to be brought back, that didn’t happen.

Alta and her husband, Jeffrie Highsmith, didn’t know what to make of the situation and so they immediately called the police to report the child as missing.

The police came and took the report and began an investigation, but there were no clues to lead to Melissa or the “babysitters” whereabouts.

For the next 51 years the family never gave up their search and followed through on every single tip they received.

They travelled the country looking for their daughter and, when genealogy websites became more popular in the 2010’s, they tried that as well.

Eventually, through the help of genealogist Lisa Jo Schiele, the family found a match.

They reached out to the woman, who had been raised as Melanie, and told her what they had found.

Melanie wasn’t sure what to make of the things these strangers were saying, and it wasn’t until they mentioned a birthmark in the exact shape and placement of one she had, that she finally decided to listen.

She soon realized what they were saying was the truth and was determined to meet the people she had been separated from for so long.

When they family finally reunited it was a day of tremendous joy and relief, and the tears were flowing from everyone.

After confronting the woman who had raised her, Melanie/Melissa knew the truth and knew she had to cut that person out of her life and begin again with her real family.

She decided to change her name back to Melissa Highsmith and remarry her husband so that her family could be there and her father could walk her down the aisle.

With 51 years of life to catch up on, this newly reunited family is sure to have lots to talk about and, luckily, lots to celebrate.

Watch Melissa and her father speak about their reunion in the video below.

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Source: Youtube, Facebook, My Positive Outlooks