Reunited three decades later
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/16/art.pratt.jpg]
David Puente
AC360° Producer
For almost 30 years, Dirk Pratt believed his daughter, Francesca, was dead. This week, his tears became happy ones. He was reunited with his long, lost daughter.
The last time he saw Francesca, she was two. Pratt says her mother took her to Ecuador for a quick trip to visit family. Then he was told his baby daughter was bitten by a mosquito and died. "I couldn't function or do anything," he said. "She was my whole world."
Since then, he spent each of Francesca's birthdays looking at the one and only photo he had of her. But, six weeks ago, Pratt ran a search of his own name on Google where he found a message: "I am trying to contact Dirk Pratt. I am his daughter." "The first thought in my mind was, 'Francesca or a sick joke?'" he said.
It was indeed Francesca who had been told her father died in a diving accident. But she says she never quite believed it. "Inside of my heart I felt something. 'He's alive,'" said Francesca.
After learning the truth, she moved back to America to search for her father. Yesterday, Dirk and his daughter, were finally reunited.
"He's more happy because I am here," Francesca, now 30, said and she brought some more good news. Pratt not only got his own baby back but there will be an addition to his growing family. "I am having a baby," Francesca said. "I am pregnant. I am so happy."
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Filed under: 360° Radar • David Puente |
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Great story....horrible situation.
How horrible to have lost all those years ! Enjoy whatever time you have left on this good earth together. I certainly would tear out the heart of her mother in court somehow. International abductions are terrible things. There is a lesson here....never let your spouse take your children out of the USA without you!
Absolutely awesome! We need to hear and read more stories like this! I, too, have a daughter, and she's the "center" of my life. I could never imagine being without her for 30 years! Very happy for you both! Hang on to your child, and now, grandchild as long as you can!
And who said the age of miracles was over...
Hi Andy,
U need to buy yourself a Kindle 2. It's about the only way u can keep in touch with it all. I love mine. It would make the perfect gift for you.
Cheers,
Jen
What a great reunion – so happy for them both. Its unfortunate that whoever (I am assuming the mother) told each of them the other was dead gave them years of heartache. Dirk must feel like he hit the jackpot though right now – his daughter back and a grandchild on the way. I'm really happy for him.
Wow – proof that miracles can happen! I am so happy for both of them!
Truly a miracle! So happy for you.