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After 25 years of desperate searching across Mexico, a Connecticut father finally embraces his long-lost daughter, kidnapped at age two by her mother and discovered through cutting-edge DNA technology that bridged decades of separation and international boundaries.
Key Takeaways
- Andrea Reyes, abducted at age two by her non-custodial mother in 1999, has been reunited with her father after 25 years thanks to advanced DNA technology
- New Haven Police Detective Kealyn Nivakoff reopened the cold case in 2023, eventually locating Andrea in Puebla, Mexico through interviews, search warrants, and social media
- Despite identifying Andrea and her mother in Mexico in 2000, authorities failed to act because Mexico didn’t consider parental kidnapping an extraditable offense
- Family abductions represent the second most common type of child abduction in America, with 1,185 cases reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in 2023
- The family now faces the challenging process of rebuilding their relationship after decades apart, with assistance from support organizations
A Father’s Unwavering Search
Carlos Reyes-Couvertier spent a quarter-century searching for his daughter Andrea Reyes after she was abducted during a scheduled visitation in New Haven, Connecticut in 1999. Despite having sole custody of his daughter, who was nearly two years old at the time, Reyes-Couvertier’s rights were violated when Andrea’s non-custodial mother, Rosa Tenorio, disappeared with the child. For 25 years, the desperate father traveled throughout Mexico following leads, never abandoning hope of finding his daughter.
“It was a moment of joy,” the now 55-year-old father said about reconnecting with his daughter for the first time in over 25 years. “We have some sense of happiness, but the chapter is not closed yet. There’s a lot of steps that we have to take.”
Breakthrough After Decades
The breakthrough in this cold case came in 2023 when New Haven Police Detective Kealyn Nivakoff reopened the investigation. Through diligent detective work involving interviews, search warrants, and social media analysis, Nivakoff determined that Andrea, now 27, was living in Puebla, Mexico, a city of over one million people. What makes this case particularly frustrating is that Mexican authorities had actually identified Andrea and her mother back in 2000, but declined to intervene or return the child.
“I’m really pleased with the outcome. At the same time, for us as a police department, this might be closure on our end but it’s certainly not closure on their part. This is really just the beginning of a whole healing process for them,” said Detective Kealyn Nivakoff.
DNA Technology Bridges the Gap
Working with DNA testing company Ortham, authorities were able to confirm the genetic relationship between Reyes-Couvertier and Andrea, providing the scientific proof needed to validate their family connection. This successful use of DNA technology underscores its growing importance in resolving long-standing missing persons cases. After establishing this genetic confirmation, Andrea and her father began communicating via phone and messaging, gradually rebuilding the relationship that was forcibly severed when she was just a toddler.
“No cold case is ever closed, we remain committed to resolving every cold case and this is a perfect example of that effort,” stated the New Haven Police Department regarding their commitment to solving long-standing mysteries like Andrea’s disappearance.
The Reality of Family Abductions
Andrea’s case shines a spotlight on the disturbing prevalence of family abductions in America. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), family abductions represent the second most common type of child abduction, with 1,185 cases reported to the organization in 2023 alone. Even more telling, 59% of AMBER Alerts issued last year were triggered by family abduction cases. These statistics undermine the dangerous misconception that children taken by family members aren’t truly “missing” or endangered.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about family abduction cases is that the children are safe and ‘not really missing’ because they’re with a parent. At NCMEC, we know that there is a lot of emotion behind these cases, and these scenarios can be unpredictable and dangerous. These children ARE missing and living a life on the run with their kidnapper. They’re forced to lie about who they are and are often isolated. The recent recoveries of Andrea Reyes and Aziz Khan remind everyone that these kids can be found, no matter how long they’ve been gone.” said Angeline Hartmann director of communications at NCMEC.
Rebuilding a Fractured Family
The path forward for Andrea and her father involves navigating significant emotional challenges. While authorities have closed their investigation, the family’s healing journey is just beginning. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is assisting in preparing for an in-person father-daughter reunion, including addressing emotional hurdles and finding a comfortable meeting place. An arrest warrant for Rosa Tenorio on felony custodial interference charges remains active in the United States.
“After 25 years, God has answered our prayers and blessed us with the chance to know her again,” said Lucia Rafala, Andrea’s stepmother. “We recognize that this reacquaintance will have challenges. However, we are confident that God is building the path before us and leading our steps.”