Body-camera footage captured on Nov. 24 shows Marion County deputies arresting Debra Newton, a woman accused of abducting her daughter in 1983. The clip, released by the sheriff’s office, brings a long-awaited resolution to a case that had lingered for four decades.
The video begins with deputies standing outside Newton’s home in The Villages, Fla. Newton and a neighbor initially believed the officers were there for a prank, as the neighbor jokingly warned, “They’re coming for you, Sharon.” The deputies, however, were prepared to act.
A deputy entered the residence to inform Newton’s husband of the arrest while the other officers waited for a detective to explain the situation to both Newton and her spouse. The scene shows the officers’ calm demeanor and the family’s bewildered reaction.
According to Nexstar affiliate WDKY, Newton has returned to Louisville, Kentucky, where she now faces felony charges related to the 1983 abduction of her daughter, Michelle Newton, who turned 45 in 2024. The case has finally reached the courtroom after decades of investigation.
Investigators received an anonymous tip from someone in Marion County who identified a possible match for a 66-year-old woman using a different name. Once the resemblance to Debra Newton was confirmed, authorities proceeded with DNA testing.
The DNA comparison, performed by matching the Florida suspect’s genetic material to that of Newton’s sister, yielded a 99.9 % match, according to WDKY. The high percentage of similarity helped confirm Newton’s identity and solidified the charges.
Officials from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Kentucky reported that Michelle had been living under another identity in a different state, completely unaware that she had been abducted. The discovery of her true identity underscores the complexity of the case.
“This is the kind of case you see once in a law enforcement career,” Chief Deputy Col. Steve Healey said in a news release after Michelle Newtown was located. “Detectives refused to let the trail go cold. Their work – and the courage of a Crime Stoppers tipster – brought a daughter home to her family after four decades.”
Debra Newton, who faces felony charges, is scheduled to appear in court in January. The upcoming hearing will determine the legal consequences of her actions and the extent of the state’s response to the decades-old abduction.
The arrest and subsequent DNA evidence not only provide closure for Newton’s family but also highlight the persistence of law-enforcement agencies in pursuing cold cases. The case serves as a reminder that justice can be achieved even after many years.
