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

On July 1, 1874, 6-year-old Walter and 4-year-old Charley Ross were playing outside in the front of their home when two men drove by in a horse and carriage. After riding by a few days earlier and offering the boys candy, imagine their delight when the same men offered to buy them firecrackers! Charley and Walter both jumped into the men's wagon and rode off to town to stock up on fireworks for the upcoming holiday. When Walter went inside to make his purchase, Charley stayed with the men, who quickly rode away, leaving Walter behind. This is the story of the first kidnapping for ransom case ever documented in United States history, and what lengths his father, Christian, went through to try to bring his son back home.

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:

23 letters: A child lost forever

A notorious 19th century kidnapping in Brooklyn

The father’s story of Charley Ross, the kidnapped child

The kidnapping of little Charley Ross, 1874

The story of Charley Ross

Well folks, this is the moment we've all been waiting for! Your host from Dying to be Found put together a DASH of true crime updates either in short story form or with the help of some of the best podcasters out there. During this episode, Deb goes down under to spend time with Dominic and Kate from Shittin' Bricks Podcast. This Aussie duo gives us a day in the life of what it's like to produce their own true crime pod, and how they use of humour when delivering some of the best storylines out there. After the interview, Dom and Kate help Deb out with a high-profile case out of Carnarvon, Australia, where on October 16, 2021, 4-year-old Cleo Smith was abducted from a popular campground in Western Australia. Over the next 18 days, police followed multiple tips to track down Terence Darrell Kelly, age 36, who lived only a short distance from Cleo and her family. On November 21, 2021, police raided Kelly's home, where they found little Cleo alive and unharmed. And when this happened, there was not a dry eye in the house!

If you are a true crime podcaster or someone who works in the true crime industry and would like to be highlighted on a future episode of Dying to be Found: The DASh, please email Deb Norman at dying2bfound@gmail.com.

Listen to new episodes of Dying to be Found: The DASH every Wednesday on Spotify and be sure to check out or regular series, Dying to be Found every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. You can find us on 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 at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dyingtobefound.

Intro & Extro Music: Undersea World by Dragonov

References:

Cleo Smith: How Australian police found the missing four-year-old

Cleo Smith: Missing 4-year-old found alive in Australia

Man charged with abducting Cleo Smith gives creepy wink on way to jail

Missing girl found in Australia, man in custody: ‘Our family is whole again

My name is Cleo: Girl, 4, is found 18 days after vanishing from campsite