Left & Center: Highsmith, circa 1971 Bottom Right: Progressed to age 36 years

Melissa Suzanne Highsmith
Missing since August 23, 1971 from Fort Worth, Texas
Classification: Non-Family Abduction

Vital Statistics

• Date Of Birth: November 6, 1969
• Age at Time of Disappearance: 1 year old
• Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 2'8" (81 cm); 27 lbs (12 kg).
• Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Brown hair; brown eyes.
• Marks, Scars: Melissa has a red, three inch birthmark on her back.
• Dentals: Not available.

Circumstances of Disappearance
Highsmith was last seen in Fort Worth, Texas on August 23, 1971. She may be in the company of an adult female (shown below).
A few months before, Melissa's mother, Alta, then 22, had returned to Fort Worth after separating from her husband. She was a waitress at a downtown restaurant. Alta placed an ad in the Star-Telegram seeking a baby sitter for her daughter. The reply from a woman who identified herself over the telephone as Ruth Johnson seemed too good to be true.
She told Alta that she had a nice big house, had a big back yard and other children to watch. The two made plans to meet at Alta's job, but Johnson never showed up. The woman later called Alta again and convinced the young mother that she really wanted the job. In a decision she regrets, Alta agreed that Johnson could pick up the girl that Monday morning.
When Johnson arrived at the Spanish Gate apartments on East Seminary Drive on August 23, 1971, Alta was already at work. Alta’s roommate would later tell police that the woman seemed nice, was wearing white gloves and appeared dressed to impress. The roommate handed the woman a pink dress, a pair of white sandals and some diapers for Melissa, and the woman and child left.
Alta returned home from work and waited for her daughter to be brought back. With no way to reach the woman, Alta called police. Within days the FBI would join in the search for Melissa.

Composite of Suspect

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Fort Worth Police Department
Detective Bryan Jamison
817-335-4222

NCMEC #: NCMC1037093

NCIC Number: M-775526913
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Texas Missing Persons Clearinghouse
Star-Telegram
Charley Project