Woman missing for 51 years reunites with family

A woman who family members believe was the toddler kidnapped 51 years ago has been reunited with her family in Fort Worth.Melissa Highsmith was 22 months old when she was abducted by a babysitter in 1971.

Her family says that she lived in Fort Worth most of her life and is now known as Melanie Brown.The family says she didn't know she was kidnapped, until her father submitted DNA to 23 and Me and learned that he was related to Brown's children.Jeff Highsmith, reunited with daughter said "We never gave up looking for her.

Through the years, we had several tips. We would go off to different states. We would go off and talk to different girls, have DNA made and no - and our hopes were dashed. It was hard." Melissa Highsmith, reunited with family said "It was just a mixture of joy and terrified, being terrified, excited and just trying to understand, you know, make sense of everything."

In a statement, the Fort Worth Police Department said they will conduct official DNA testing to confirm her identity and will provide an update once those official results are in. The investigation into her kidnapping will continue.