In a remarkable turn of events, Andrea Michelle Reyes, who was allegedly abducted as a toddler in 1999, has been located in Puebla, Mexico, 25 years later. The New Haven Police Department announced on March 5 that advanced DNA testing confirmed her identity, bringing closure to a decades-long search.

Andrea was just 23 months old when she was reportedly taken by her non-custodial mother, Rosa Tenorio, from their New Haven, Connecticut home in October 1999. Despite extensive efforts by local and federal authorities, including the FBI and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), her whereabouts remained unknown for over two decades.

The case was reopened in 2023 by Detective Kealyn Nivakoff of the New Haven Police Department. Through interviews, search warrants, and social media investigations, Nivakoff traced Andrea to Puebla. A DNA sample provided by Andrea was compared to her father’s, confirming their relationship.

Andrea, now 27, has reconnected with her father, Carlos Reyes-Couvertier, a New Haven public school teacher. The reunion, facilitated by NCMEC, has so far been virtual, with plans for an in-person meeting underway. Reyes-Couvertier expressed joy but acknowledged that the healing process is ongoing.

An active arrest warrant remains for Andrea’s mother, Rosa Tenorio, valid within the U.S. Authorities believe she continues to reside in Mexico.

This case underscores the enduring commitment of law enforcement and advocacy groups in resolving long-term missing person cases. It also highlights the profound impact of advanced DNA testing in reuniting families after extended separations.