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Father's Day reunion: Daughter found after 46 years
19 Jun
Summary
- A father and daughter reconnected after 46 years apart.
- DNA testing ultimately led to the unexpected reunion.
- They will celebrate their first Father's Day together virtually.
A man is preparing to celebrate Father's Day with the daughter he only recently discovered he had. Paul Lonardo, 66, and Jennifer Skiles, 46, will mark the occasion with a virtual party, complete with cake and gifts, as they live in different states.
Skiles, a financial advisor, was born prematurely in Germany and later placed for adoption. She faced significant childhood trauma and a lifelong search for her identity and biological family.
Her quest began when she obtained her biological mother's name and later her father's. After numerous efforts and a delay following her mother's death, Skiles used an Ancestry DNA kit provided by her husband.
This led to a crucial connection through her father's maiden name, Lonardo. A response from a relative confirmed Paul Lonardo's potential identity, leading to a phone call and subsequent DNA test confirming their relationship.
Lonardo, who served in the military in 1978 and met Skiles's mother, Cheryl Brown, never knew he had another child. Skiles, who has five children, was adopted into a family where she experienced abuse. She now cherishes the connection with her biological father and his family.
Lonardo has officially adopted Skiles, embracing her as one of his children. The two speak daily and visit frequently, with Lonardo's wife and children welcoming Skiles warmly, integrating her into family photos and collages.
