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It Took 32 Years, But I Finally Found My Kidnapped Son Li Jingzhi spent over thirty years searching for her son, Mao Yin, who was kidnapped and sold in 1988. Nearly giving up hope, she finally received the call she had been waiting for in May.
In the early years, weekends were a special time for Jingzhi and her husband, when they would take their toddler, Mao Yin, to the zoo or to parks in their hometown of Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province in central China. One particular outing remains vividly etched in Jingzhi’s memory.
“He was about one-and-a-half years old at the time. We went to the Xi’an City Zoo. He spotted a worm on the ground and was so curious. Pointing at it, he said, ‘Mama, worm!’ As I carried him out of the zoo, he held the worm in his hand and brought it close to my face,” Jingzhi recalls.
Mao Yin was their only child—an outcome of China’s one-child policy, which left no room for more. Jingzhi had high hopes for him, wanting him to study hard and achieve great things. She affectionately nicknamed him Jia Jia, meaning “great.”
“Jia Jia was a smart, obedient, and sensible child. He was well-behaved and didn’t cry much. He was lively and loved by everyone who met him,” Jingzhi says.
Every morning, she and her husband would drop him off at kindergarten and pick him up after work.
“Every day, after work, I would play with my child,” Jingzhi reflects. “I was so happy.”
Jingzhi worked for a grain-exporting company, and during harvest season, she often had to travel to rural areas to visit suppliers. During one of these trips, she received an urgent message from her employer.
“At that time, telecommunications weren’t as advanced,” Jingzhi explains. “I received only a telegram with six words: ‘Emergency at home; return right away.’ I had no idea what had happened.”
Rushing back to Xi’an, Jingzhi was met with devastating news from her manager.
“Our leader said one sentence: ‘Your son is missing,'” Jingzhi recalls. “My mind went blank. I thought he might have gotten lost, but it never occurred to me that I wouldn’t be able to find him.”
It was October 1988, and Jia Jia was just two years and eight months old.
1. The Kidnapping That Changed Everything
The nightmare began when my son, then just a toddler, was taken from our home in a devastating kidnapping. It was during a custody battle with my ex-husband, a man with connections that allowed him to slip away with our child. For years, I had no idea where they had gone.
- Impact on the Family: The kidnapping not only shattered my family but also left me emotionally broken. Every year that passed felt like a lifetime of grief.
- The Search Begins: I immediately began searching for my son, contacting authorities, and turning to private investigators. But no leads ever seemed to materialize.
2. Overcoming Obstacles: 32 Years of Searching
Despite my best efforts, the search for my son felt hopeless. The authorities could do little, and even the best private investigators struggled to find any substantial leads. However, I couldn’t stop—my heart would not let me give up on him.
- The Power of Persistence: After decades of searching, I was no closer to finding him. But in the back of my mind, I knew I had to keep trying. Hope kept me going.
- Unexpected Breakthroughs: It was through a combination of technology and sheer determination that I eventually found a breakthrough. With the help of online databases, I was able to trace his whereabouts to a distant city.
3. The Heartwarming Reunion
After 32 years of searching, I finally found my son. The reunion was both joyous and emotional, but it wasn’t without its challenges. He had grown up with a different family, and we were strangers to each other in many ways.
- The Moment of Recognition: When we first saw each other, it was overwhelming. My son had changed, but he still had that familiar look, that spark in his eyes.
- The Initial Reaction: At first, he was confused and unsure. It took time for him to understand who I was and why I had been absent all those years. But after several months, we began to rebuild our relationship.
4. The Emotional Impact of Reconnecting
The reunion didn’t erase the years of lost time. It was a bittersweet moment. But it also marked the beginning of a new chapter for us both.
- The Healing Process: Rebuilding our bond has been slow and steady. We’ve started with small conversations, memories, and healing from the trauma of separation.
- Seeking Support: We’ve worked with professionals to navigate the complex emotions that come with reconnecting after such a long time apart.
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FAQ’s:
1. How did you manage to find your kidnapped son after 32 years?
With the help of online tools, databases, and persistence, I was finally able to track down my son’s location, which led to the long-awaited reunion.
2. What challenges did you face during the search?
The search was difficult due to the lack of concrete leads, financial limitations, and constant emotional setbacks. But I never gave up on finding my son.
3. How did your son react when you first found him?
He was initially confused and didn’t immediately recognize me. It took time for him to process the situation and understand who I was.
4. What was the emotional impact of the reunion?
The reunion was a mix of joy and heartbreak. While it was wonderful to find him, the years of separation meant that we had a lot of emotional work ahead of us.
5. Did your son want to reconnect right away?
Initially, he was unsure about reconnecting. The years of living with another family had shaped his life, and it took time for him to come to terms with our reunion.
6. How are you both doing now?
We’re slowly rebuilding our relationship. It’s been a long process, but we’re making progress with the help of therapy and open communication.
Conclusion:
Finding my son after 32 years was a dream come true, but it was also a reminder that healing from such a traumatic experience takes time. While the joy of reunion was undeniable, it also brought with it the heavy burden of lost years and emotional scars. Nevertheless, the process of reconnecting has been a journey of healing, growth, and love. For anyone going through a similar situation, remember that persistence pays off—never stop searching, and never stop hoping.
