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malaise

(295,081 posts)
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 12:59 PM Tuesday

Damn! Missing North Carolina woman found 'alive and well' after 24 years

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/24/north-carolina-missing-woman-found

Daughter was ‘heartbroken’ after Michelle Hundley Smith requested her location not be disclosed to family she had walked away from

One of the first things she described was relief that her father “had been proven innocent” of accusations that he somehow “was involved” in Michelle’s disappearance. She also wrote about her parents having marital issues – though, without elaborating, she made it a point to say, “My mom did not leave simply [because] of a bad marriage.”

She continued: “My father has been through so much and I want it made clear that while their marriage had issues (just as many marriages go through) … my mom did not leave simply [because] of a bad marriage.”

Then, after acknowledging her complex emotions about the closure of her mother’s missing persons case, Amanda wrote that she “can absolutely understand [someone] taking off and leaving” after “everything” with which she has dealt in her own life.
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No words



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Damn! Missing North Carolina woman found 'alive and well' after 24 years (Original Post) malaise Tuesday OP
Sometimes you have to do what you need to for your own sanity. Srkdqltr Tuesday #1
That's why I said no words malaise Tuesday #2
Good... but also not good? Torchlight Tuesday #3
She probably met some guy on AOL and took off dalton99a Tuesday #4
Hmm... 2naSalit Tuesday #5
Wow! malaise Tuesday #6
I think it made... 2naSalit Tuesday #8
For good malaise Tuesday #9
Yes, We don't know what kind of abuse the woman suffered. n/t Jacson6 Tuesday #7
I have mixed emotions about this MustLoveBeagles Tuesday #10
That daughter expresses a good attitude and values lostnfound Tuesday #11
Update: dalton99a Saturday #12
Thanks for this malaise Saturday #13

malaise

(295,081 posts)
2. That's why I said no words
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 01:07 PM
Tuesday

Who am I to judge - I don’t know what she was facing when she left.

Torchlight

(6,669 posts)
3. Good... but also not good?
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 01:09 PM
Tuesday

The daughter appears to be handling a surprise of this nature a lot damn better than I think I ever would.

2naSalit

(101,868 posts)
5. Hmm...
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 01:27 PM
Tuesday

When I was nine, my mom left my dad, all by herself, walked away from six kids, some pretty young. I never blamed her, my dad was brutal, took it out on us afterward. They both had issues not related to their messy marriage as well but they were the only parents I had. I spent seven years finding my mother and made her take us away from my dad, most of us were still minors.

I know why she left and used it as my standard for when it's time to leave a bad relationship however I may decide to leave it. It also taught me to use multiple perspectives before making important decisions that could have lasting impacts. I get the feeling this lady understands why her mother left and why she never looked back.

lostnfound

(17,473 posts)
11. That daughter expresses a good attitude and values
Tue Feb 24, 2026, 04:23 PM
Tuesday

She exhibits maturity and kindness.

“I am not saying she gets off scot-free without accountability or responsibility [because] she absolutely needs to do that,” Amanda continued. “What I am saying is … please remember that each one of us have made mistakes in life, each one of us has hurt souls [whether] intentional or not.

“Please remember that each one of us has done things that we are not proud of.”

dalton99a

(93,470 posts)
12. Update:
Sat Feb 28, 2026, 12:59 PM
Saturday
https://nypost.com/2026/02/26/us-news/nc-mom-who-ran-away-from-family-24-years-ago-makes-extraordinary-claim-as-she-resurfaces-for-first-time/

NC mom who ran away from family 24 years ago makes extraordinary claim as she resurfaces for first time
By Steven Vago and Jared Downing
Published Feb. 26, 2026

The missing North Carolina mom of three has been located by The Post — 24 years after she ran away and ditched her family.

Michele Lyn Hundley Smith, now 62, claimed Thursday that her daughter is “forgiving” her after she was found by the local sheriff last week, and then hauled back to the county she fled on an old drunk-driving charge.

She’s now living alone in a trailer in a rural community in Robeson County, near the South Carolina line.

Her daughter Amanda, who was 14 when Smith left, confirmed that she has forgiven her mom but is communicating with her through a third party, according to a pal.

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