Man finds a picture of himself on a missing list - and it changed his whole world
Life turned upside down
Up to that point, Steve only knew the following things about his origin. Back in 1980, Steve Carter Sr. was a US Army officer stationed on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Then he and his teacher wife, Pat, decided to adopt a child. When they came across a three and a half year old boy in foster care, they knew they had to bring him home. "It was love at first sight," Pat explained to People in 2012.
Steve had always felt a special connection to his adoptive parents, a sense of belonging that would sustain him throughout his life. This encounter marked the beginning of a new chapter in Steve's life, a chapter filled with love, security, and familial comfort. The decision to adopt Steve was not only an act of love for Pat and her husband but also a promise to provide a caring and supportive home for a child who had experienced little stability so far.
Biological parents out of the picture
On September 23, 1980, Steve and Pat brought the boy home full-time. According to Hawaii records, the little guy was named Tenzin Amea and had been in state care for the past three years. His file stated that the father of the blond toddler was anonymous and a native Hawaiian. The boy's mother was listed as Jane Amea; she had been arrested when Tenzin was just five months old.
These early years of his life were marked by uncertainty and the lack of a stable family structure, making his later adoption by Pat and Steve all the more significant. The adoption not only provided Tenzin with a loving home but also an identity and a story he could call his own. It was the beginning of a journey that would lead Tenzin away from his uncertain past and offer him the chance for a fulfilling life.
A new life
However, the luck of the little boy seemed to have turned. Renamed William Steven Tenzin Carter - but known as Steve Jr. - the boy began a new life with the Carters in an affluent area in southern New Jersey. During the 1980s and 90s, he enjoyed a happy and normal childhood, playing sports and attending parties with the neighborhood kids.
These years were filled with carefree days, friendships that would last a lifetime, and the secure feeling of being part of a loving family. The Carters not only offered him a home but also the support and encouragement he needed to grow into a confident and successful adult. This time laid the foundation for Steve's character and his outlook on life, with the values and teachings of his adoptive parents playing a central role.
A mysterious past
As an adult, Steve began to question who his biological parents might have been. By now, his supposed Hawaiian heritage had become a family joke. "With his blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin," Steve Sr. told the South Jersey Local News, "he doesn't look like someone of Polynesian descent."
This curiosity about his roots was more than just a passing phase; it was a deep need to gain understanding of his true origin. Steve felt that his family history was incomplete, and he was determined to unravel the mystery of his ancestry. This desire to learn more about his biological parents reflected Steve's wish to fully understand and embrace his identity.
Uncovering the truth
Steve's curiosity was piqued when he was gifted a DNA test kit for Christmas. The results he received were very surprising. Apparently, he was indeed of Scandinavian descent. Although this deepened the puzzle, it seemed that Steve's beginnings were destined to remain unclear. But then one day, he came across an interesting news story that reignited his desire to uncover his origin story.
This discovery was not only a twist in understanding his own heritage but also proof of how modern technologies can influence personal stories in unexpected ways. The DNA analysis not only provided Steve with insights into his genetic heritage but also opened the door to new opportunities for self-discovery and led him on a path that would ultimately reveal astonishing revelations about his past.
Research findings
In 2011, Steve came across an article about Carlina White, who had been abducted as a baby from a hospital in Harlem, New York City. Without knowledge of her past, she was raised in Connecticut and believed her abductor to be her mother. But her real parents were less than 45 minutes away. And it was only through researching missing persons online that Carlina eventually discovered the truth.
This aspect of the story inspired Steve to take action himself. Carlina White's story was not only a reminder of the unpredictable twists of life but also an inspiration for Steve to intensify his search for his own past. It was a moment that strengthened Steve's determination to find out the truth about his origin and led him to use modern technology to find answers to the questions that had accompanied him all his life.
Missing Persons
Genealogy and finding long-lost relatives had become much easier and faster since the rise of the internet. Steve visited one of the websites mentioned by the abducted Carlina - missingkids.com. Operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Steve began searching for matching cases there. Under an entry for a missing boy, he saw something that would turn his world upside down.
The ability to quickly and efficiently search for missing persons online not only provided Steve with a new source of information but also the hope of finally finding the long sought-after answers. This discovery marked the beginning of an emotional journey that would ultimately lead to a profound change in Steve's life, shedding light on the dark corners of his past and helping him solve a decades-old mystery surrounding his origin.
Facing the facts
In the listing for the lost boy, he was referred to as Marx Panama Moriarty Barnes, reported missing since June 1977. It included an artist's impression of what Marx might have looked like as an adult. And for Steve, it was like looking into a mirror. "It sent shivers down my spine," he told People in 2012. "I thought, 'That's me.'" This amazing discovery was the first step on a journey that would change Steve's life forever.
The image triggered a flood of emotions and sparked a deep curiosity about his true origin. It was a moment of shock and realization that drove him to explore the truth about his past. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a profound personal adventure that would redefine the meaning of identity, family, and belonging.
A tragic tale
Completely shocked, Steve contacted the authorities and volunteered for a DNA test. Finally, after a long eight months, the results came in. They proved that Steve and Marx were indeed the same person. Steve's wife, Tracey, encouraged him to delve into his past — only to uncover a heartbreaking story. This confirmation of his true identity was not just a turning point in Steve's life but also the start of an emotional journey to piece together the fragments of his past.
Tracey's support was an invaluable comfort and motivation for facing the shadows of his history. Searching for answers led Steve down a path filled with challenges and revelations, forcing him to confront the deepest aspects of his existence. This phase was a mix of fear, hope, and unwavering support from his family.
The breathtaking true story
On June 21, 1977, journalist and Vietnam veteran Mark Barnes was working in the garden of his home in Hau’ula. While busy planting, his girlfriend, Charlotte Moriarty, took her six-month-old son for a walk. Charlotte announced her intention to just go a few blocks away to a grocery store with little Marx.
This seemingly everyday decision marked the beginning of an unimaginable odyssey, the effects of which would change the lives of many people forever. Charlotte and Marx's sudden absence left a void in Mark's life filled with uncertainty and worry. These moments of separation would be the start of a decades-long search for truth and reconciliation.
Missing mother
Charlotte did not return, but initially, Mark was not overly concerned. Reportedly, Charlotte was a "free spirit" known to have embarked on longer escapades before. But as three weeks passed without a sign of his girlfriend or their son, Mark contacted the police. However, despite the authorities beginning the search for Marx, no clues were found.
This time of uncertainty and waiting was a tormenting experience for Mark, marked by hope and despair. The unexplained absence of Charlotte and Marx was a dark mystery that overshadowed Mark's life with worry and uncertainty. The authorities' unsuccessful search only heightened the growing desperation and sense of helplessness Mark felt.
Never stopped searching
For over a year, a grief-stricken Mark combed the streets of Hawaii in hopes of finding his missing family. And no matter how much time passed, he apparently never gave up hope of one day being reunited with his son. Mark did not know that Marx was living a new life, with a new name and a different family, thousands of miles away.
These unwavering hopes, despite overwhelming uncertainty, attest to the depth of paternal love and desperation Mark felt. The idea that Marx was out there somewhere, perhaps also searching for him, was a driving force that led Mark never to give up. Mark's tireless search was proof of the unbreakable bond between father and son, a bond that neither time nor distance could weaken.
Concerned Citizen
Reportedly, the day after Charlotte and Marx disappeared in the summer of '77, a woman on the other side of Oahu returned home to unexpected guests. Somehow, she said, Charlotte had gained access to the property and was there with the infant Marx. Concerned, the homeowner contacted the police. This unexpected encounter marked the beginning of a chain of events that would steer Marx's fate in an unexpected direction.
The homeowner's decision to call the police was a critical moment that could have offered the possibility of reuniting the family, but fate had other plans. This episode was a strange incident in a series of unfortunate events that would shape Marx's early life.
Authorities in action
When authorities arrived, Charlotte gave them false names for herself and the baby: Jane and Tenzin Amea. This was partly why the Hawaii police couldn't connect the dots when Marx was reported missing a few weeks later. Heartbreakingly, Mark had started looking for his son before the boy, now known as Tenzin, slipped through the system.
These mistaken identities significantly complicated the search for the truth and left Marx's true origin shrouded in darkness. Before Mark, a confusing and tragic tale had already unfolded, inadvertently undermining his efforts to find his son. This phase of the story is a painful example of the complexity and pitfalls of searching for missing persons.
Mother disappears
Apparently, the troubled Charlotte was soon taken to a psychiatric facility while Marx was entrusted to the state's care. In a cruel twist of fate, the boy lived in an orphanage just 30 miles away from his biological father's house. And a few days after being admitted, Charlotte checked out of the hospital. Then she disappeared completely, taking the truth about her son with her.
This turn of fate added another layer of tragedy to an already complex story. Charlotte's sudden disappearance left more questions than answers, making the already challenging search for Marx even more complicated. The fact that Marx lived so close to his biological father and yet was so unreachable adds a particularly heart-wrenching aspect to this tale.
A secret past
But Mark was not the only one concerned about Marx's fate. Jennifer, his half-sister eight years his senior, was also desperate to uncover the truth. In 2001, the determined woman convinced Hawaiian authorities to reopen the case. They then commissioned an artist to create a composite image of what Marx might look like at that time.
And it was precisely this composite image that led Steve to discover his secret past. Jennifer's persistence and unwavering belief in the possibility of finding her brother were crucial in the case being reopened. These efforts highlighted not only the deep familial ties that persisted despite decades of separation but also the power of hope and determination to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Reconciliation
When the truth was finally uncovered after more than 30 years, Steve didn't rush to connect with his relatives. He admitted to being "scared" to People. After months of waiting, he eventually reached out to Jennifer over the phone. And ultimately, he spoke to his biological father, who was living back in his home state of California at the time. As Mark recalled: "All I could say was 'Wow. Oh wow. Wow.'"
These encounters, though long delayed, were profound moments of connection and healing. Steve's initial reluctance to approach his relatives was a testament to the complex emotions that come with the revelation of long-hidden truths. Yet the final reconciliation with his family was a cathartic conclusion to a long and often painful search for identity and belonging.
Coming Together
Although Mark, Jennifer, and the Carter clan had not met in person until 2012 and there had been no further updates on the story since then, the experience was undoubtedly emotional for all involved. The Carters are undoubtedly grateful that their story found a happy ending. That's not always the case, of course.
When adult Shawne Bolton discovered that she had also been reported missing as a child, her world completely fell apart. This turn in her family history shed new light on the complexity and potential pitfalls of searching for one's own past, prompting the Carters to view their own situation with renewed gratitude.
Quite the Surprise
Shawne had long been aware that the people who raised her were not her biological parents. She had actually learned that as a child. That must have been quite a surprise for a child, but little did she know that things would get much more shocking as she grew older.
This early realization laid the groundwork for Shawne's later need to explore her true origins. It was a knowledge that sparked in her a deep curiosity and a need to understand her own identity.
As Good a Time as Any
At the age of 26 and in a fairly good place in her life, Shawne felt that the time had come to search for her biological mother. She had recently gotten engaged, so she might have been at a reflective point, feeling that now was as good a moment as any. Whatever motivations she had, she soon devised a plan to set the process in motion.
This decision marked a pivotal moment in Shawne's life, a moment of self-discovery and the beginning of a journey that would lead her deeper into the secrets of her own past.
Criminal Record
Shawne thought a good start would be to see if her mother had a criminal past. So she contacted the police office in the area where she was born. She spoke to someone there and provided as many relevant details about herself as she could.
The officer soon conducted a check – and he found something remarkable. This search for the truth was a bold step for Shawne, leading her down an unexpected path and confronting her with aspects of her past she could never have imagined.
A Dark History
The officer was shocked by what he had discovered about Shawne. He knew she would experience a great shock, so he told her to sit down. Then he revealed the strange truth about her life
Shawne had been marked as a missing person for decades. Her life story was much darker than she had ever suspected. This revelation plunged Shawne into a deep personal crisis, forcing her to confront the reality of her origins and piece her life back together.
Desire to Know
Shawne is by no means the first adopted person to feel the need to search for their biological parents – she just had the misfortune of uncovering a nightmare truth along the way. But the urge to research is quite common.
After all, it is only natural to wonder about one's own past. This inner quest for identity and origin is a deeply rooted need that drives many adopted individuals to delve into their past, despite the risks and uncertainties that this process can entail.
Unique Experience
Every adopted individual has their own reasons for wanting to delve into their past, and each experience is unique. Some people have a much easier time than others, as the circumstances behind each adoption can vary so greatly. One person may, for instance, discover who their biological parents are and leave it at that, while others may want to meet these individuals.
These individual journeys of self-discovery reflect the diversity of human experiences and the profound impacts that knowing one's origins can have on personal well-being and identity.
Difficult Emotions
For obvious reasons, this entire process can be very stressful for those involved. Even in the best cases, the emotions at play can be truly challenging to manage — especially when professional help is not sought.
Therefore, many individuals benefit from counseling as they navigate through the situation. The emotional rollercoaster associated with searching for one's own past can be overwhelming, underscoring the importance of support and professional guidance.
Detective Work
Going through such a burdensome experience alone could be extremely challenging for a person. Apart from the intense range of emotions likely to be stirred, the search itself can be arduous and frustrating.
Often, it requires regular people to become something akin to amateur detectives. This journey, though challenging, is a testament to human resilience and the unwavering desire to understand the truth about one's identity and past.
The Positive Side
Searching for biological parents might be slightly easier nowadays than in the past, which is undoubtedly a positive development. This is because we have access to the internet, which can significantly facilitate finding other individuals. For some, this may be a great thing — but it doesn't always work smoothly.
The availability of digital resources has changed the game by making information more accessible and enabling individuals to make connections that would have been impossible previously. However, while technology breaks down barriers, it also brings new challenges, especially concerning privacy and the emotional well-being of those involved.
Serious Issues
Some individuals may really want to remain hidden, and the fact that social media makes them so easily traceable is not something they appreciate. And the problems can be even more serious when children are involved. Suppose a person gave a child up for adoption but decides years later that they want to see them.
They could cause significant harm to that child's life by contacting them directly. This immediate availability of information can lead to unexpected and often unwanted intrusions into the lives of individuals who may want to leave their past behind.
Key Information
Of course, social media is not the only means available to individuals searching for their biological family. If a person has any information — say, the name of their birth mother or the area they were born in — then that might be enough to work with.
With such details, it could be possible to contact authorities to see if they could guide you in the right direction. These more traditional methods of search, although potentially time-consuming, can offer a certain level of security and structure that is lacking in the unregulated expanses of the internet.
Starting the Search
This exact approach was chosen by Shawne Bolton in her own quest to find her biological family. Shawne had been aware that the people who raised her were not her real parents since she was about ten years old. But it was only in adulthood that she could start searching for the woman who brought her into the world.
This decision to seek her origins marked a turning point in Shawne's life and led her on a journey that would not only encompass her past but also her identity and future.
Unaware
Today, Shawne is a major TikTok personality and has used the app to share her incredible story. In a video about her childhood, she says, "For the first ten years of my life, I didn't know they weren't my parents.
I thought my father was my father and my mother was my mother." This revelation on social media has allowed Shawne to share her experiences with a wide audience and perhaps offer hope and understanding to others in similar situations.
First Steps
It wasn't until she was 26 years old that Shawne decided to search for her biological parents. Unfortunately, she didn't have much information available. But at least she knew where she was born. While this was a good initial step, Shawne had to think outside the box as her search progressed.
This phase of her search highlights the challenges and obstacles many must overcome when searching for their origins, especially when only limited information is available.
Clever Idea
Shawne's initial attempts to locate her birth mother didn't yield the desired outcome, but that didn't discourage her. Instead, she took an unusual path by deciding to search through the police records of her birth city in the hope of finding clues to her past. This decision to explore police archives demonstrates Shawne's determination and creativity in seeking her origins.
It was a step that not only required courage but also the willingness to confront potentially dark chapters of her own history. When she did find insightful information in the records, her suspicion that unconventional methods might sometimes be the only way to bring buried truths to light was confirmed. This phase of the search was not only a validation of her intuition but also evidence of the complexity of her own past.
A missing person
The officer's request for her to sit down before revealing his discovery was a moment filled with drama and foreboding. Why this specific request? What had the officer found in the archives that required such preparation? As Shawne sat down, she had no idea that the following words would fundamentally alter her life and her view of her past.
"He told me he couldn't find any information about my mother, but that I was reported as a missing person." These words were not only shocking, but they also tore the veil off a hidden truth that Shawne could never have imagined. This moment, captured in Shawne's narrative, was more than just a revelation; it was a confrontation with a reality that challenged everything she believed she knew about herself.
The Details
The sheriff informed Shawne that in early 1980 – just a few months after her birth – a report of a missing child was noted in the records. This child, it was detailed, had been kidnapped. And this child, now clear, was indeed Shawne. This shocking revelation turned Shawne's world upside down, not only shedding new light on her past but also raising profound questions about her identity and the circumstances of her upbringing.
The notion that she had been kidnapped as a young child was unsettling enough, but the truth that was yet to come to light was even more disturbing. This disclosure led Shawne to the uncomfortable realization that her life story was built on lies and secrets.
Big Questions
Apparently, a search for Shawne had been initiated after her disappearance was recorded by the police. But nothing ever came of it. No one could ever locate her, and instead, she grew up unaware of these events. But how had this happened – and were the people who raised her aware of it?
These questions caused deep confusion and painful conflict in Shawne. The idea that her childhood might have been based on a lie and that those who raised her might have been part of this deception was disturbing. This phase of her life was marked by a search for truth that led her to dark and unexpected places.
A dark turn
Shawne's understandable search for her biological parents took a very disturbing turn. And things were not about to get easier anytime soon. Revelations continued to unfold after she hired a private investigator to conduct some research. She wanted answers – but they wouldn't be pleasant when they came.
The determination to uncover the truth at all costs led Shawne to take this crucial step, knowing full well that what she would discover could further shake her world. This decision marked a critical point in Shawne's journey, a moment where she was willing to confront the darkest aspects of her past.
The disturbing truth
The private investigator got to work and was able to locate Shawne's biological mother – but that's not all. This investigator learned the truth about what had really happened all those years ago. And although the police had recorded Shawne as being kidnapped as a child, the reality was even more unsettling.
Her biological mother had actually sold her. Learning this cruel truth was a devastating blow for Shawne, fundamentally altering not only her understanding of her own story but also her view of her biological mother. This discovery brought deep emotional turmoil and raised questions about the nature of maternal bonds and the value she had placed on her own child.
A horrific plan
Shawne's real mother had traded her child for money before going to the police and claiming her child had been kidnapped. She even pretended to help in the search for the missing child, presumably to make her story believable. Not even her own relatives knew about the plan she had set in motion.
As Shawne later explained in a video: "My mother's family – they all believe I was kidnapped." Maintaining this deception was a complex game of lies and manipulation that left deep scars on Shawne's psyche and severely impacted her ability to trust others.
A strange turn of events
In a strange turn of events, it appears that Shawne's biological mother actually suggested to the police that the man who ultimately raised her – a guy named Steven – was responsible for the kidnapping. It's a peculiar detail, for sure, but perhaps it indicates that she wanted her child to be found by the police – and maybe even returned to her?
However, nothing came of it as investigators did not properly look into Steven's affairs. This intricate web of accusations and misunderstandings only added further layers of tragedy and confusion to the story.
Confusing
In one of her TikTok videos, Shawne gave a poignant insight into the challenges she faced during her childhood. She talked about how confusing and painful it was not to receive love and affection from the people who were supposed to raise her. Her words shed light on the deep emotional conflicts she experienced as she tried to understand the reasons for her treatment.
These revelations are not only a testament to Shawne's strength and resilience but also a call to reflect on the impact of abuse and neglect on young lives. Her story is a vivid example of how the consequences of traumatic childhood experiences can shape self-perception and relationships in adulthood.
No closure
Unfortunately, learning the truth after all these years did not bring a sense of closure to Shawne. When the private investigator located her biological mother, Shawne reached out and arranged a meeting. But far from being a cathartic experience, it was rather uncomfortable.
Her biological mother denied any wrongdoing and did not even offer an apology. This encounter, instead of providing healing or understanding, left Shawne with more questions than answers, a testament to the complicated and often painful paths that the search for truth and reconciliation can take.
Mismatch
Regrettably, the reunion with the extended family did not work out either. Shawne's biological grandmother had never learned the truth of what had happened and had mourned the grandchild she believed she had lost forever. But when she actually met Shawne, the newfound grandchild did not fit the image she had built in her mind over the years. The two simply could not connect.
This disappointing experience underscored the complexity of familial bonds and the deep emotional chasms that can arise from years of separation and misunderstandings. The hope the grandmother had of building a loving relationship with her granddaughter was dashed by the harsh reality of their different experiences and expectations.
A small comfort
At this point, Shawne must have been emotionally drained. After learning such a terrible thing about her past, she now had to essentially be rejected by a family she never knew she had. Fortunately, there was a small comfort in an otherwise harrowing story.
This rollercoaster of emotions, from the discovery of her traumatic past to the rejection by her biological family, posed an immense emotional burden that tested Shawne's resilience and her belief in the possibility of a fresh start.
Turns out alright
In fact, the DNA test revealed that this man was indeed Shawne's father. As he later explained to his newfound daughter, she was conceived through an accident, and he had not been involved in her life. However, now they seem to get along quite well.
She even introduced him in one of her TikTok videos. This development not only offered Shawne the opportunity to form a connection with a parent but also a chance to rewrite her own story and perhaps find meaning in the turmoil of her past.
A lot to process
At the end of this debacle, Shawne was left with so much to process. She had been repeatedly let down, from her earliest days into adulthood, where she had to investigate her own disappearance story alone, without much help from authorities.
Naturally, such an intense and upsetting experience left her quite confused. This ongoing chain of disappointments and challenges tested Shawne's strength and determination to the limit, leaving her with a burden that was hard to carry.
Complex feelings
Despite all they had done to her, Shawne claimed to still have positive feelings towards the people who raised her. As she said in one of her videos: "I have felt love at times... when you are in an abusive situation, you take even the smallest gestures of love and appreciate them. It's complicated."
This complex mix of emotions towards the people who caused her suffering underscores the tangled bonds and deep-seated ambivalence often present in abusive relationships.
Well-adjusted
Nevertheless, Shawne has made the understandable decision to completely cut off contact with her adoptive parents and biological mother. Instead, she wants to put all her energy into healing and building a better relationship with her own children.
Given all she has been through, she is actually quite well-adjusted, although she clearly has things to process. This decision to distance herself from those who caused her pain marks a crucial step in her healing process and her pursuit of a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Compassion and good wishes
The empathy and support Shawne has received from the online community reflect the deep connection people feel with her story. Many have been touched by her narrative and inspired by her strength and courage to share her story. This positive response is a sign of hope and proof that compassion and understanding can bring light even in the darkest moments.
Shawne's experiences and the reactions to them show how crucial it is to create space for survivors' stories and how such narratives can inspire others to navigate their own struggles. The community formed around Shawne not only offers moral support but also affirms that no one has to face their challenges alone.
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