SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – What would it feel like to be an adult and find out you were considered a missing person since you were a baby?

That’s the real-life story of a woman with ties to South Dakota.

First Alert Investigator Beth Warden brings us the twists and turns in an incredible life story.

This woman, born in South Dakota, is proud to say her name.

“Ohitikaȟwiŋ Aŋúkašúŋ Ȟopá. Translated, that means brave woman, beautiful bald eagle.”

For many years, she didn’t know her name or her past. Older sister Phyllis remembers the tiny infant who she called Roberta, a half-sister who disappeared.

“My dad was working in law enforcement, and his ex-wife was Roberta’s mom. She and my father got into it, and she took the babies and headed out.

Phyllis said her dad, a tribal law enforcement officer, searched for his daughter, reporting her missing.

“He never did find him,” Phyllis said.

Meanwhile, with her mother, Ohitikaȟwiŋ was growing up in a hell of her own.

“I just knew that, as far back as I can remember, I was locked in an attic and in a very abusive family,” said Ohitikaȟwiŋ.

She was kept away from others.

“Having a little window to look out, and I remember seeing kids outside and wondering why I can’t be out there,” said Ohitikaȟwiŋ. “I just couldn’t understand why love had to hurt.”

Social services got a tip and removed the beaten, sick and emaciated girl.

“Lucky enough to land in a foster home with a lady named Florence Krause, and when I would feel that pain, she was right there to accompany me, letting me know that I was safe and that I didn’t have to feel that fear anymore,” said Ohitikaȟwiŋ.

Her next step was the Job Corps.

“Into welding-iron work because a lot of people told me that I’m a female — ‘You can’t do that.’ Like, ‘Alright, I’m going to do it, especially since you said I couldn’t.’”

And when she wasn’t at work?

“I guess, with all the anger I had, I would fight in the streets. And a promoter saw me and got me into boxing, and I trained with Jeff Mayweather, and then I went from boxing to the MMA cage. So that helped me get a lot of my anger out,” said Ohitikaȟwiŋ.

Her foster mom discovered a family connection.

“Did some research about me and everything, and she was the one that actually told me, ‘You do have a dad out there. You do have another family. You’re Native American,’” said Ohitikaȟwiŋ.

That’s when she learned that she was a missing person.

“I didn’t know that I was taken until my sister Phyllis told me,” said Ohitikaȟwiŋ.

The fear of rejection melted away as her dad on the phone said, “Please come home.”

“When I first laid eyes on my dad, I just started crying. I was like, ‘I know that’s my dad.’ I look just like him. And he met me at the gate where he lives, and we both just hugged each other and just started crying,” said Ohitikaȟwiŋ.

“My dad was so happy. He said, ‘I’ve always wondered where you were. Always wondered everything about you,’” said Phyllis.

She met and heard stories of her siblings — all 23 of them.

“What? I have that many brothers and sisters? I felt so alone for so long, and to find out that I have all these brothers and sisters — I was just so happy,” said Ohitikaȟwiŋ.

She’s following in her dad’s footsteps in the film industry and as a model. Discovering her family and her culture brings healing.

“A lot of the pain, a lot of the anger that I had, I don’t have anymore. I’m happy,” said Ohitikaȟwiŋ.

For those still missing a loved one — “To the ones that are lost, don’t give up. Never give up.”

Ohitikaȟwiŋ said she did look at pressing charges against her mother but was told it was too late due to the statute of limitations.

If you have tips about a missing person, you can contact law enforcement or remain anonymous by reporting your tips through Crimestoppers.

Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.