DNA Test Confirms Identity of Texas Woman Reunited with Family 51 Years After Being Abducted as a Baby

Police have officially confirmed the identity of the Texas woman who was abducted in 1971 and reunited with her family last November. Through DNA testing, the Fort Worth Police Departmentconfirmed the identity of Melissa Highsmith— a 53-year-old woman who was abducted as a 22-month-old in 1971. “It is our hope that this test result will offer additional closure for the Highsmith family,” a police spokesperson said in a statement shared with PEOPLE.

DNA Test Finally Reveals What Emaciated 'Mystery Animal' Is After It Was Rescued Last Month

An animal rehabilitation center in western Pennsylvania has released the findings of a DNA test for a rescued critter brought in to the center last month.“The results are in!” the agency wrote on itsFacebook pageon Monday. “Our ‘mystery animal’ DNA sample came back, 100% coyote!“TheYoungwood-based organizationbegan treating the then-unidentified creature on Jan. 17, after a woman in Fairfield Township found paw prints outside her home that led her to an emaciated, freezing animal.

DNA Test Leads Man to Biological Parents He Thought Died 50 Years Ago: 'It Was Surreal'

Photo: Kirk Kellerhals For almost all of his life, Kirk Kellerhals struggled with his identity. “My mother was listed as a Vietnamese national and was deceased, and my father was also listed as deceased,” Kellerhals tells PEOPLE for National Adoption Awareness Month. “I’ve grown up my whole life thinking my parents were dead, that both my parents were dead.” Kellerhals — who has dark hair and tanned skin — says he was mistaken for a variety of ethnicities and called “every derogatory term you can think of” while growing up.

DNA Test Reveals Chicago Family's New Rescue Dog from Texas Is a Cousin of Their Late Pet

Photo: Courtesy of Upton’s Naturals A dog DNA test revealed a serendipitous surprise for one Chicago family. According to a release fromUpton’s Naturals, Nicole Sopko and Dan Staackmann — founders of Upton’s Natural, a Chicago-based vegan food company — recently adopted aGerman shepherdmix named Frida. Shortly after bringing Frida home, Sopko and Staackmann got anEmbark dog DNA testto learn more about the rescue pup’s background. The family got the same test for their late dog Greta — also a German shepherd mix adopted from a Chicago shelter — before the beloved pet passed away.

DNA Test Reveals that Tenn. Dog Adopted as a Friend for Visually-Impaired Pup Is Pet's Sister

Photo: Courtesy Embark/Jane SalazarA rescue dog looking for a caring companion didn’t just find a friend,but a family member, when his owners adopted a second canine.After going years without a dog — since their last place wasn’t pet-friendly — Jane Salazar and her husband eagerly adopted a young dog named Diego shortly after moving into their home in Red Bank, Tennessee, last year.Unsure of what breeds made up Diego — a dog Salazar describes as both “fluffy” and “manly” — Salazar decided to indulge her curiosity and got anEmbark dog DNA testfor Diego.