DeepSummary
The episode follows the story of three babies abandoned at birth within blocks of each other in Lawndale, California between 1981 and 1986. Janet Barnacote, Dean Hundorf, and Julie Hutchison were left at different locations as newborns but were eventually reunited through DNA testing over 30 years later when it was revealed they were biological siblings.
The DNA testing led to the discovery that Joanne Houser, the woman who originally found Janet as a baby, was actually their birth mother. After years of searching, the three foundlings were able to confront Joanne, who admitted to abandoning all three of them and explained her difficult circumstances at the time.
Despite the shocking revelations, Janet, Dean, and Julie expressed forgiveness towards Joanne and were able to form a relationship with their birth mother after over three decades apart. The episode follows their emotional journey of discovery, reunion, and the beginning of healing old wounds.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The reasons behind a mother abandoning her children can be complex and borne of difficult circumstances.
- DNA testing and genetic genealogy can help reunite biological families separated by adoption or abandonment.
- Foundlings often display resilience and a capacity for forgiveness towards those who abandoned them.
- Reunions between abandoned children and birth parents can be emotionally charged and bring up feelings of anger, guilt, and shame.
- With empathy and understanding, healing is possible when families separated by abandonment are reunited.
- The desire to understand one's origins and identity can be a powerful driving force.
- Maternal bonds are not necessarily dependent on nurturing from birth.
- Secrets from the past have a way of resurfacing and impacting the present.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I just want you to know that I do love you. Yeah. We all do. He's the quiet one.“ by Janet Barnacote
- “Three peas in a pod. They had the same sense of humor. They were cracking each other up. There is something about biological and genetic bonds that survives any sort of separation.“ by Cece Moore
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Episode Information
20/20
ABC News
5/8/24
Three babies, abandoned at birth within blocks of each other, five years apart. Thirty years later DNA testing reveals they are siblings. Now, that technology is about to point them to their birth mother, who has been watching and waiting in plain sight.
Originally broadcast 07/29/2019
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