Michelle Marie Newton

Michelle Marie Newton (born October 5, 1979) is an American woman who was abducted as a child by her own mother, with both having been missing for 42 years. Her mother, Debra Newton, was arrested by authorities on November 24, 2025, in Marion County, Florida, following a Crime Stoppers tip. Michelle, who by that time had been located by law enforcement authorities, was then notified of her actual identity and has since been reunited with her father, Joseph Newton.

Abduction and search Newton was born on October 5, 1979, to Joseph and Debra Newton in Louisville, Kentucky. In the spring of 1983, when Newton was aged 3, Debra told Joseph that she wanted to relocate to Georgia under the pretext of "having found work" there. Joseph agreed to relocate there, but on April 2, 1983, Debra left for Georgia with Newton under the pretext of "preparing the family home" there. When Joseph followed them to Georgia several weeks later, they had already vanished, and would remain unable to be located for the next 42 years. Meanwhile, Debra appeared in person for her indictment and arraignment at a Jefferson County court. Both Newton and her father were present. She was released on a bond posted by a relative. She pled guilty, was sentenced to 12 months, but the 12 months were deferred pending good behavior.