On August 23, 1971, single-mother Alta Apantenco arranged for a newly hired babysitter, "Ruth Johnson," to pick up her 21-month old daughter, Melissa, and take her back to her home day care while Alta went to work. Alta left for work earlier than when Melissa would be picked up, which meant her roommate would make the exchange with Ruth.. There was only one problem. Neither Alta nor her roommate collected Ruth's home address or contact information, each likely assuming this had already been done. When the evening rolled around, Melissa had not been returned home, and was immediately reported missing. For over 50 years, Melissa's case went unsolved, until one day in 2022, she took a Genealogy DNA test and the answers to her true identity were revealed.

Join Deb, with her special co-host, Carmen, from Live Laugh Murder Podcast, as we take a journey down the path that led to Melissa's disappearance and rediscovery. Afterwards, we dive into a short tale that Carmen shares based on her own true crime podcast! You will definitely want to tune in...and tell your friends!

Listen to new DASH episodes every Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts! You can find us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest @dying2bfound or visit our website at www.dyingtobefound.com. Find us all in one spot at https://linktr.ee/dying2bfound.

If you like what you hear, please share and give a 5-star review! Consider supporting us by buying us a coffee athttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/dyingtobefound.

Intro & Extro Music: Undersea World by Dragonov

REFERENCES:

48 years after disappearance of Dallas child, family continues to search for her

‘A Christmas miracle’: Woman kidnapped as a child reunites with family 51 years later

Melissa Highsmith vanished as a toddler, there’s been no sign of her for 46 years

‘It’s a Christmas Miracle’: Fort Worth Woan Reunites with family 51 years after kidnapping

Melissa Suzanne Highsmith