Daughter Was Taken Away from Dad Then Abandoned by Mom – 25 Years Later She Hugs Him Again

One woman’s life took a tragic turn when she was just a baby. Her mother took her away from her father and then abandoned her when she was just one year old.

Jordyn O’Neil’s mom, Denise O’Neil, dropped her off with her maternal grandmother in Alabama and said she was done being a parent.

Jordyn’s formative years were filled with uncertainty and pain, but her grandma, Marilyn O’Neil, was there for her.

Marilyn did her best to provide a stable home for Jordyn, but sadly tragedy struck again when she passed away in 2020. Losing the person closest to her devastated Jordyn, and she was heartbroken. The 25-year-old expressed:

“[It] was really hard. So, I wanted to know who else I had left, as far as my father and maybe his side of the family, thinking, I could lean on them for support.”

Left alone in the world, the young woman was determined to locate her father and reconnect with him. She turned to social media and began sharing her story hoping to find him.

The Search to Find Her Father

Jordyn’s search for her father was a challenging one. She didn’t have much information to go on and didn’t even know his name or where he could be found.

Jordyn began her search by sharing her story on social media, hoping someone would recognize her and provide some information. She also posted her photos, hoping someone might see a resemblance and offer clues.

Her search finally gained momentum when her boyfriend suggested she take an Ancestry DNA test. With the help of her great-aunt Pam, Jordyn obtained her biological father’s name and some old photos of her parents.

Jordyn was speechless thinking about how the events unfolded and could not believe strangers on Facebook gave her an unforgettable gift.

Jordyn shared the snippets of information and the photos in local Michigan Facebook groups, and one group, “Downriver and Friends,” proved to be a breakthrough.

The post gained much attention, and many people knew her father. They provided his phone number and address; someone even went to his door to tell him about the Facebook post.

Jordyn was overwhelmed with emotions when she finally reached out to her father. She was nervous, excited, and scared all at the same time. She recalled:

“I was shaking, like, I was nervous. I wanted to throw up. I had so many emotions going through my head.”

When Brian Ahern, Jordyn’s father, received her call, he was overjoyed and had no doubts. The 65-year-old construction worker was her “look-alike” and had been praying for the day that he would see his daughter again.

He told friends and even his landlord about the dream of reuniting with his daughter. Thanks to the power of social media and a little bit of luck, Jordyn was able to find her father and start building a relationship with him.

The Emotional Reunion He Had Been Praying For

Jordyn’s reunion with her biological father, Brian, was long-awaited. Their connection was undeniable, and they were grateful to have found each other. Jordyn remembered the moment she hugged and saw her dad. She shared:

“I got out of the car, and I look at him, and I’m like, ‘Wow, I look like him.’ Yeah, he looks like me, that’s for sure.”

Jordyn was speechless thinking about how the events unfolded and could not believe strangers on Facebook gave her an unforgettable gift. She could pick up the phone and call her dad.

In addition to finding her father, Jordyn introduced him to her three-month-old son, Asher. Brian called his daughter a “gift from God’ and was excited to meet his grandson and is determined to make up for lost time by building a relationship with Jordyn.

The dad and daughter now talk daily on the phone and are grateful for the people on Facebook who helped reunite them. On April 3, 2023, Jordyn wrote:

“I found my biological dad and met him for the first time in 25 years; my heart is so full.”

The Online Response and Support

Their Facebook community was overjoyed and shared well wishes for the newly reunited duo. Users also said they loved seeing Jordyn happy:

“Oh, Jordyn, this makes my heart full.”

– (Peggy Ahern) April 3, 2023

“Oh, Jordyn, I am so happy for you!!! That is wonderful!! You look like your dad. Sweetheart, this is so amazing!! I love you.”

– (Sarah Slager) April 3, 2023

“As someone who is adopted, you have no idea how much I’m crying [right now! This is simply amazing! I am so excited for you!!!!!”

– (Ashley Ware) April 3, 2023

“[I’m] so happy you finally got to meet your biological dad. I know the feeling of not knowing who your biological dad is because I did not know my biological dad for 37 years. I am so happy for you.”

– (Angelia Hubbard) April 7, 2023

For Jordyn, finding her father and building a relationship with him has been a fantastic journey, and she couldn’t be more thankful. We wish them the best as they make memories together.

Click here for another story about a Utah teenager that found her family just in time for Christmas in 2022.

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