ICYMI: Connecticut Toddler ABDUCTED 25 Years Ago—Found ALIVE in DNA Breakthrough!
A woman missing since her 1999 abduction at age 2 from Connecticut, was found alive—thanks to cutting-edge DNA testing. 🌐 #News #NewHavenCT #Connecticut #MissingPerson
NEW HAVEN, CT — A woman kidnapped as a toddler from Connecticut 25 years ago has been located alive in Mexico, authorities confirmed. Andrea Michelle Reyes, who vanished from her home in New Haven at age 2 in 1999, was identified through DNA testing, bringing a decades-long mystery to a close.
A Long-Suspected Abduction
Police have long believed that Reyes was taken by her mother, Rosa Tenorio, who did not have custody at the time. Reyes’ family suspected she might have been in Mexico, and her father made repeated trips there to search for her and Tenorio, though he never found them.
The case, initially investigated by the FBI and New Haven Police Department, went cold until a breakthrough in 2023.
Cold Case Reopened
Detective Kealyn Nivakoff of the New Haven Police Department revived the investigation in 2023.
Using interviews, search warrants, and social media accounts, Nivakoff traced Reyes to Puebla, Mexico. Now 27 years old, Reyes remains in Mexico, while an active arrest warrant persists for Tenorio in the United States.
DNA Confirms Identity
Reyes’ identity was verified through a method called “Rapid Relationship Testing,” comparing her DNA to her father’s. The forensic genealogy company Othram, based in Connecticut, conducted the analysis.
According to Othram’s chief development officer, Kristen Mittelman, the company works daily to provide answers for families, assisting with cases involving unidentified remains, suspect identification, and missing persons.
This marks the seventh case Othram has supported in Connecticut.
A Family’s Long Wait Ends
For Reyes’ family, the confirmation of her survival offers closure after years of uncertainty.
While the investigation into her abduction continues, the focus remains on Tenorio, whose whereabouts are still unknown.
Authorities have not released additional details about Reyes’ life in Mexico or her current circumstances.
A Moment for Reflection
Andrea Michelle Reyes and her family, separated for 25 years, stand as the heart of this long ordeal, their resilience shining through decades of uncertainty. The New Haven community, alongside dedicated investigators like Detective Kealyn Nivakoff, played a vital role in keeping this case alive, showing the strength of collective effort. For anyone still waiting for answers, this resolution proves that prayer, persistence, and advancing technology can one day bring long-lost loved ones home. Thanks for reading this article, we appreciate it! Until next time, remember: you deserve to feel good today! — Jack and Kitty Norton, Founders and Editors
RELATED TOPICS: Connecticut | Crime | Mexico | Missing Persons
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