It wasnt until receiving a text from a new friend of Michele's Saturday night that the 16-month mystery began to unfold for the Sebastian mother. Shortly after, the mother and daughter spoke on the phone.
Roode learned that after her disappearance, Michele lived in various places under an assumed name. Several months ago, she met a man and the two eventually moved in with his mother in North Carolina.
By early March, the friend encouraged Michele to get an identification card so she could work. Faced with having to identify herself, Michele had a seizure, was taken to the hospital, went into a coma and nearly died, Roode said.
After spending about 10 days at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, she awoke and told her friend the truth about her identity. He convinced her to speak with her family.