Wild Video Shows Arrest of Mom Accused of Kidnapping Daughter 42 Years Ago
A shocking video has emerged showing the moment an unsuspecting mom was arrested for allegedly kidnapping her daughter 42 years ago. The incident took place outside her home in Villages, where Debra Newton, 66, was chatting with a friend while walking her dog on Nov. 24.
Several Marion County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene, prompting the neighbor to joke and laugh with the officers, assuming they were not really there to arrest Newton, whom she knew as Sharon Nearly, the alias the fugitive mom had been using.
As the officers informed Newton about the warrant for her arrest, the neighbor continued to believe it was all a joke. It was only when the lead officer confirmed the arrest that the neighbor realized the seriousness of the situation.
Newton was wanted for allegedly kidnapping her daughter, Michelle Marie Newton, in 1983. Michelle, who had no knowledge of her past, was found living in Kentucky under a different name.
The mother allegedly fled with her daughter from Kentucky to Georgia, leaving her husband behind. Michelle, now 46, grew up under a different identity without knowing her true story.
After years of searching, the case was reopened in 2016, leading to the discovery of the long-lost daughter in 2025. Newton, once on the FBI’s “Top 8 Most Wanted parental-kidnapping fugitives” list, was arrested before the authorities informed Michelle about her true identity.
Michelle reunited with her father on Thanksgiving and expressed forgiveness towards her mother. She believes that there is a chance for healing and reconnecting with her family.
“You’re not who you think you are. You’re a missing person. You’re Michelle Marie Newton,” the authorities told Michelle, revealing the shocking truth about her past.
The emotional reunion between Michelle and her father marks a new chapter in their lives, as they navigate the complexities of the past and look towards a brighter future.
