Found Safe KY - Michelle Marie Newton, 3, Louisville, 2 Apr1983

[Mysteries1974]

Have you seen this child? Michelle Newton

Michelle Newton

• • Missing Since
  • Apr 2, 1983
• • Missing From
  • Louisville, KY
• • DOB
  • Oct 5, 1979
• • Age Now
  • 42
• • Sex
  • Female
• • Race
  • White
• • Hair Color
  • Brown
• • Eye Color
  • Brown
• • Height
  • 4'0"
• • Weight
  • 50 lbs

Age Progressed

Michelle's photo is shown age-progressed to 42 years. She may be in the company of her mother.

 

[chaddylex]

Too bad we don't know more about her disappearance.

 

[Mysteries1974]

Too bad we don't know more about her disappearance.

Michelle Marie Newton

 

[fred&edna]

Is Michelle's mother (Debra) in Namus?

 

[Mysteries1974]

Is Michelle's mother (Debra) in Namus?

No I’ve submitted her though. She’s considered an abduction suspect

 

[Mysteries1974]

Michelle and her mother have been added to NamUs as of today:

Michelle Marie Newton - The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Debra Leigh Newton - The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

 

[MadMcGoo]

Michelle Marie Newton – The Charley Project

 

[bflocket]

Since the mother is classified as "missing" on NamUS, do they think that someone did something to both of them or has the statutes of limitations run out?
(Michelle was born the same year I was and - I try not to think about it - but I have classmates with grandchildren now)

 

[Mysteries1974]

Since the mother is classified as "missing" on NamUS, do they think that someone did something to both of them or has the statutes of limitations run out?
(Michelle was born the same year I was and - I try not to think about it - but I have classmates with grandchildren now)

Michelle’s mother did kidnap her and it was confirmed they were alive after 04/02/1983 as seen when Debra attempted to divorce from Michelle’s father after she left with their daughter to go to Georgia. Her lawyer dropped the case though because he found out Michelle was reported as a missing child and that Debra had lied about her and Michelle being abandoned by him.

 

[Mysteries1974]

Since the mother is classified as "missing" on NamUS, do they think that someone did something to both of them or has the statutes of limitations run out?
(Michelle was born the same year I was and - I try not to think about it - but I have classmates with grandchildren now)

The warrant for Debra was also mistakenly thrown out in 2005. Debra is listed as missing on NamUs in case she is dead and they find her remains, otherwise she is still considered a kidnapping suspect.

 

[bflocket]

I basically understand the basic details about what happened with her disappearance and how things have gone up until now. I "understand" the mistaken announcement about her being located, except there is something that I REALLY do not understand - which is why there is even still a case today.

It makes me wonder if something really did happen to both of them since both seem to have dropped off the face of the Earth (rather than just be hiding out somewhere). It would make sense if the "custodial" disagreement ceased to exist when she became a legal adult. I mean, we both turned 18 in 1997. That was 25 years ago! Statutes of limitation should be applicable.

I don't want to make light of her taking her daughter. Debra was a few rungs beyond " from Hell" to her husband, whatever that would be. She should never be forgiven. But their child is no longer a child by any means. Could she have been so brainwashed by her mom that she remembers nothing of her real name?

Why hasn't the daughter ever said "I'm Michelle Newton" or done anything that would be in the public record like get married or get a job or get a driver's license or buy/sell real estate? Her name is "out there" and I don't know how she hasn't seen it. I don't make it a habit to do online searches for my own name, but I've done it before. There's a guy with my name that is some airplane expert and there's a painter and a few others. I would have freaked out if I saw that I was a missing person.

 

[cheemsg]

Located & Identified Persons
So Doe Network claimed she was located in 2005, I guess this was just a mistake bc no sources confirm this.

 

[Mysteries1974]

Located & Identified Persons
So Doe Network claimed she was located in 2005, I guess this was just a mistake bc no sources confirm this.

She’s still missing this was false. Her and her mother have never been located. The case was reopened in 2015 and is still being investigated. Michelle’s father is still seeking his lost daughter

 

[?!?]

bump

 

[SBMonsterFighter]

I'm doing a write-up on Michelle Newton. We know she was taken by her mother but in all honesty, something had to happen from that point. Michelle has never stepped forward and Debra has never been located. There is no way these two women are living in the United States without a social security number and/or identification. Does anyone know who the father is of Michelle or Debra's family?

 

[?!?]

Case File of Michelle Newton

Not sure if this will work -- behind a paywall but 'free trial' - from 4/24/77 Louisville Courier-Journal weddings:

The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky

Get this The Courier-Journal page for free from Sunday, April 24, 1977 THE COURIER-JOURNAL TIMES, SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1977 17 Now's the time to buy a used sewing machine at .... Edition of The Courier-Journal

www.newspapers.com

Search result for above:

https://www.newspapers.com › newspage › 110288229

The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 139 - Newspapers.com​

Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Curry announce the Lensasement of their daughter, Debra and Joseph C. Newton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester.

 

[PommyMommy]

https://www.facebook.com/ncmec/posts/pfbid0FJtWwoKHLc7E1Xs6z2R45vXXm9LrJgZU92bpasLSNDk74UPse8Fgguv4yH5xw4hUl

 

[Pennysmom1]

Case File of Michelle Newton

Above: Michelle Newton in 1983 (left) and an age-progressed image to 42, circa 2021 (right)

Michelle Marie Newton

Last seen in Louisville, Kentucky on April 2, 1983

Vital statistics: White female. Born on October 5, 1979. Brown hair, brown eyes. Her nickname is "Shelly." Was three at the time.

Circumstances: She was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Debra Lee Curry Newton. A photo and vital statistics are posted below. She took her daughter to Georgia where she claimed to have a new job, but when Michelle's father went to join them they could not be found. A FBI warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued for her on May 3, 1985. They may be in Clayton County, Georgia or the Tampa or Dade City areas of Florida. It was incorrectly reported that Michelle was found in 2005, but she remains missing.

Above: Debra Newton in 1983

Vital statistics: White female. Born on November 10, 1959. Sandy brown hair, blue eyes. She may go by her maiden name, "Curry" or use the alias last name "Hartmann." Was twenty-three at the time.

 

[Pennysmom1]

Just a couple of interesting things here:

Case File of Michelle Newton

<<Michelle and Debra have been sighted a few times since their disappearance but they have never been located. Investigators believe Debra might be deceased as she was known to use drugs at the time she abducted her daughter.>>

<<After they were reported missing, Debra forged her husbands name in order to sell the family vehicle, a 1980 Ford Mustang in Rex, Georgia. She signed the title as Debra L. Hartmann and Michael D. Hartmann.>>

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Villager arrested in connection with little girl missing since 1983 - Villages-News.com

A Villager has been arrested in connection with a little girl who went missing in 1983.

www.villages-news.com

November 25, 2025

A Villager has been arrested in connection with a little girl who went missing in 1983.

Debra Leigh Newton, 66, of the Village of Piedmont, was arrested Monday by Marion County sheriff’s deputies. At the time of her arrest she was considered a fugitive from justice in Kentucky. Officially, she has been charged with “custodial interference.”

*****
Due to inaccurate information, Michelle Newton’s missing persons case was removed from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2005. The warrant for Debra Newton was also withdrawn. The case was closed for some years until it was reopened as a cold case in 2015. Michelle Newton’s missing persons information was added back to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2021.

Debra Newton was being held on $35,000 bond at the Marion County Jail.