A Long Search Ends In Heartwarming Reunion

She was abandoned as a newborn and then adopted.

Meghan Rivard June 04, 2017
article image

Success is a wonderful word, especially when it concerns an adopted person seeking information about her biological parents. After a very long search to find her birth parents, Janet Keall was successful in that search. She was abandoned as a newborn and then adopted. After 22 years of searching, she has found four half siblings and her birth father. She and her half siblings were all abandoned without anyone’s knowledge, including her birth father. Janet used old fashioned researching, phone books, and yearbooks to find names and phone numbers.

So while it has been a shock and an emotional rollercoaster, Janet and her birth father have spent hours talking on the phone and have arranged to meet soon. “He had no idea about me at all. There certainly is a shock and sadness but in the search for my biological parents it is a happy ending. We certainly do have physical similarities. You can see it. I am so happy. I am looking forward to meeting him. It still feels surreal,” said Janet

Janet’s birth mother passed away last year, sadly just months before Janet located her. Janet’s older half sister was abandoned in 1976, Janet was abandoned in 1977, and her half brother in 1979. Janet also found information about a baby boy, abandoned in 1980, but only lived a few months, who could possibly have been her half brother. Janet’s mother also abandoned a baby in 1983 after giving birth to her but she also died shortly after birth.

Janet’s story has gained a lot of attention and she is interested in writing a book and film production of her story.

“This past year has been so shocking. I’m still processing it. But now I have this wonderful gentleman who is my father and I am so happy,” said Janet.

To read more, click here.

Meghan Rivard

Meghan is an adoptive mother and a big advocate of adoption and foster care. She resides in Indiana with her husband, their one-year-old daughter who is the center of their lives, and their dog Max. She has a Bachelor's and Master’s Degree in Social Work. Meghan stays at home with her daughter but is so happy she found this outlet to share her personal adoption story and educate about adoption!

author image

Meghan Rivard

Meghan is an adoptive mother and a big advocate of adoption and foster care. She resides in Indiana with her husband, their one-year-old daughter who is the center of their lives, and their dog Max. She has a Bachelor's and Master’s Degree in Social Work. Meghan stays at home with her daughter but is so happy she found this outlet to share her personal adoption story and educate about adoption!

Adoption.com - Subscribe form

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Adoption.com is not a licensed adoption agency or facilitator and it does not provide professional, legal or medical advice. It does not place children for adoption or match birth parents and adoptive parents. Users of Adoption.com agree to the Terms of Service, Privacy Notice, and Community Rules.
©2025 Adoption.com LLC, a service of The Gladney
Center for Adoption. All rights reserved.
Follow us
Subscribe for FREE to the Best of Adoption.com eMagazine in just one click!
By entering your email address, you agree to our Privacy Policy and will receive offers, and other messages. You can unsubscribe at any time.