A woman who went missing 25 years ago as a toddler has been found in Connecticut, United States.
According to Fox News, Andrea Reyes, now 27, was abducted in October 1999 at the age of two by her biological mother, Rosa Tenorio, who took her to Mexico despite not having custodial rights.
Decades-Long Search Ends in Reunion
Mexican authorities first identified Reyes and her mother in 2000, but the Mexican government chose not to take action to remove her from her mother’s custody.
However, in 2023, Andrea took the initiative to reach out to the man she believed was her father. This prompted New Haven Police Detective Kealyn Nivakoff to reopen the case.
To verify Andrea’s identity, the police collaborated with forensic genetic genealogy firm Othram. Through DNA testing, they confirmed a biological father-daughter relationship, bringing long-awaited closure to the case.
Emotional Family Reaction
Andrea’s stepmother expressed gratitude for her safe return, acknowledging the challenges ahead in rebuilding their relationship.
“Thank you for sharing in our joy in finding our daughter Andrea. After 25 years, God has answered our prayers and blessed us with a chance to know her again.
“We recognize that this reacquaintance will have challenges, however, we are confident that God is building the path before us and leading our steps,” she said.
Father’s Tireless Search
Police revealed that Andrea’s father had made multiple trips to Mexico over the years in search of his daughter. He and his wife extended their appreciation to law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for their relentless efforts.
According to NCMEC, family abductions are the second-most common type of child abduction in the United States, highlighting the ongoing challenge of parental kidnappings.
