Baby Jane Doe (aka Elizabeth Hunterton) who was abandoned in an airport in 1980 reveals she is set to meet her biological mother in two weeks

Freja · Saturday at 10:59 PM

Baby Jane Doe who was abandoned in an airport in 1980 reveals she is set to meet her biological mother in two weeks - after perfect storm of mysterious circumstances made it nearly impossible for the beauty queen to find answers

Former Miss Nevada 2004 is set to meet her biological mother in two weeks
Two pilots found her unattended at a gate in an airport in Nevada in January 1980

At long last, former pageant star Elizabeth Hunterton, who was abandoned at the airport after just being born, is set to meet her biological mother in the coming weeks.

Hunterton, 44, had always known she was adopted. In January of 1980, just 10 days after she was born, two pilots found her unattended at a gate in an airport in Nevada.

Over the years, she has shared her journey via social media, chronicling the many bumps she experienced on the road to discovering who she is.

Since there was little to no information about the 'airport baby,' social services referred to Hunterton at the time as 'Baby Jane Doe.'

While she was adopted into a loving home almost immediately, Hunterton was left wondering who she was, and why she was left behind in the first place.

'I was about 10 days old,' she told People Magazine in a 2021 interview. 'I grew up my entire life trying to figure out what I did in those 10 days that ultimately led to them saying, 'Let's just leave her at the airport.''

Former pageant star Elizabeth Hunterton (pictured), who was abandoned at the airport after just being born, is set to meet her biological mother

Former pageant star Elizabeth Hunterton (pictured), who was abandoned at the airport after just being born, is set to meet her biological mother

The 44-year-old said she always knew she was adopted (Pictured: Her adoptive mother (left) and Hunterton as a baby (right)

The 44-year-old said she always knew she was adopted (Pictured: Her adoptive mother (left) and Hunterton as a baby (right)

While she was adopted into a loving home almost immediately, Hunterton was left wondering who she was, and why she was left behind in the first place. (Pictured: her adoptive father (left) and Hunterton as a baby (right)

While she was adopted into a loving home almost immediately, Hunterton was left wondering who she was, and why she was left behind in the first place. (Pictured: her adoptive father (left) and Hunterton as a baby (right)

Since there was little to no information about the 'airport baby,' social services referred to Hunterton (pictured) as 'Baby Jane Doe'

Since there was little to no information about the 'airport baby,' social services referred to Hunterton (pictured) as 'Baby Jane Doe'

LINK

Encouraged by her best friend to share her story on TikTok, Hunterton has been documenting her journey of searching for her birth parents, as well as being open vulnerable about the emotions and healing that come with discovering the truth behind her abandonment.

Hunterton had a stellar childhood and was raised in a white family in Reno who loved her beyond measure. She was crowned Miss Nevada in 2004 and is still CEO of the organization today. She married a man with whom she shares two biological sons aged 5 and 6, and also a stepson.

She said her adoptive parents had a beautiful way of explaining her adoption, leading with kindness instead of vilifying her birth mother.

'I just remember my mom explaining that I was lucky enough to have two sets of parents: one who loved me enough to raise me and one who loved me enough to give me up,' she said in a TikTok video.

In fact, her parents managed to skip a four-and-a-half-year adoption waitlist.

Hunterton (left) was crowned Miss Nevada in 2004 and is still CEO of the organization today

Hunterton (left) was crowned Miss Nevada in 2004 and is still CEO of the organization today

She married a man with whom she shares two biological sons aged 5 and 6 (center)

She married a man with whom she shares two biological sons aged 5 and 6 (center)

Hunterton (centrer) also has a stepson (left) with her husband (right)

Hunterton (centrer) also has a stepson (left) with her husband (right)

Hunterton said she had a stellar childhood and was raised in a white family (left: adoptive mother, right: adoptive father) in Reno who loved her beyond measure

Hunterton said she had a stellar childhood and was raised in a white family (left: adoptive mother, right: adoptive father) in Reno who loved her beyond measure

'Social Services called every other potential adoptive parent who has been approved, and those that had been on the waitlist for longer than 28 days, and all of them said no - no they were not willing to adopt a black baby,' she said in a TikTok video.

'They called my parents, and with no questions asked, my mom and dad sped down the hill, picked me up, and I've been with them ever since.'

'If my birth mother had known that I would end up with the world's best and most loving parents, the best teacher she ever could have prayed for, she never would have wasted one second of energy wondering if she made the right decision.'

Hunterton didn't have a known birthplace, birthdate, or race, which made it almost impossible for investigators to help her discover her backstory.

In August 2021, a 23andMe test connected her to a few distant relatives, but none of them were her parents.

'If my birth mother had known that I would end up with the world's best and most loving parents, the best teacher she ever could have prayed for, she never would have wasted one second of energy wondering if she made the right decision,' Hunterson said in a TikTok.

'If my birth mother had known that I would end up with the world's best and most loving parents, the best teacher she ever could have prayed for, she never would have wasted one second of energy wondering if she made the right decision,' Hunterson said in a TikTok.

Hunterton's biological father (left) passed away in 2004, and did not know he had a daughter

Hunterton's biological father (left) passed away in 2004, and did not know he had a daughter

A distant relative put Hunterton (left) in touch with her uncle (right), who was the brother of her biological father

A distant relative put Hunterton (left) in touch with her uncle (right), who was the brother of her biological father

A distant relative put Hunterton in touch with her uncle, who was the brother of her biological father.

In a TikTok video, she recounted what it was like meeting her uncle.

'I was so warmly welcomed, which blew my mind,' she said. 'called my biological uncle and he was like 'my dear niece, this is the kind of thing you hear about in the movies but you never expect to come to a theatre near you.''

She said her uncle told her that her father was essentially the whole package - kind, funny, a tremendous athlete (which is where she got her athleticism from as she was a varsity track runner in high school). But after a half hour, Hunterton realized her uncle was only referring to her biological father in the past tense.

That's when her uncle informed her that her biological father had passed away in 2004, and that he did not even know of her existence. Heartbreakingly, Hunterton's uncle told her that her father had always dreamed of having a biological child of his own.

'He did adopt his stepson and he loved him dearly, but my uncle said that more than anything, his one unfulfilled wish was a biological child of his own,' she said in a TikTok video.

'It's sad because he did have one, he just didn't know about me.'

Heartbreakingly, Hunterton (pictured as a child) said her uncle told her that her father had always dreamed of having a biological child of his own

Heartbreakingly, Hunterton (pictured as a child) said her uncle told her that her father had always dreamed of having a biological child of his own

'It's sad because he did have one, he just didn't know about me,' she said

'It's sad because he did have one, he just didn't know about me,' she said

Although it only took five days for Hunterton to track down her paternal lineage, finding her biological mother proved to be much more difficult (pictured: her adoptive father (left), Hunterton (center), and her adoptive (right)

Although it only took five days for Hunterton to track down her paternal lineage, finding her biological mother proved to be much more difficult (pictured: her adoptive father (left), Hunterton (center), and her adoptive (right)

Hunterton said when her uncle told her that, she immediately felt the presence of her biological father.

'I knew that the moment he did find out about me when he passed, he became one of my guardian angels,' she said. 'I'm very much my biological father's daughter; we look alike, we talk alike, and the first time I met my biological uncle, he just kept staring at me.'

She recalled: '[My uncle] said 'it's just crazy, it's just so weird to see a young female version of my brother. There a million little things you do that bring my brother back to life.'

Although it only took five days for Hunterton to track down her paternal lineage, finding her biological mother proved to be much more difficult.

Just when Hunterton was about to give up completely, assuming her birth mother was the first of three woman the test matched her with who had passed away years ago, she connected with her second cousin, who put her in touch with her biological mother.

Mustering all of her courage, Hunterton sent a two-and-a-half-page handwritten letter to her. When her biological mother reached out to her, the floodgates opened from there.

Although it only took five days for Hunterton to track down her paternal lineage, finding her biological mother proved to be much more difficult (Pictured: Hunter's 2004 Miss Nevada contestant badge)

Just when Hunterton (pictured) was about to give up completely, assuming her birth mother was the first of three woman the test matched her with who had passed away years ago, she connected with her second cousin, who put her in touch with her biological mother

Just when Hunterton (pictured) was about to give up completely, assuming her birth mother was the first of three woman the test matched her with who had passed away years ago, she connected with her second cousin, who put her in touch with her biological mother

Mustering all of her courage, Hunterton (pictured) sent a two-and-a-half-page handwritten letter to her biological mother

Mustering all of her courage, Hunterton (pictured) sent a two-and-a-half-page handwritten letter to her biological mother

Hunterton learned she was born to a black father and a Japanese mother who met at the Fort Ord military base. She learned she was born in a hospital in California, and was finally able to get a hold of her birth certificate.

She also learned that her abandonment at the Nevada airport was not the fault of her mother, whom she referred to as 'number four' in her TikToks.

'When I received her email, she shared that she wasn't able to take care of me as she believed I deserved,' Hunterton told People. 'Therefore, she gave me to her roommate who was supposed to take me to an adoption agency. When my birth mother was told that I was actually left at the airport instead, it took quite a toll.'

As if by fate, Hunterton found out she was given 'Elizabeth' as her middle name by her biological mother before her adoptive mother and father knew who she was - a discovery that brought her peace and comfort.

One of the darker details she told Elizabeth, however, was that she was the product of rape. Her biological father's side of the family said anything of that nature was far out of character for him.

She also said in a TikTok video that while she did believe her biological mother was violated, she said she will never know if her biological father was the one who did so.

'I looked deeper into this than anyone else ever has, but when all is said and done and I sit there with that question, 'am I the product of rape?' the one place where my soul finds peace is I don't know if I am,' she said in a TikTok video.

Hunterton (left) learned she was born to a black father and a Japanese mother who met at the Fort Ord military base (right: her husband)

Hunterton (left) learned she was born to a black father and a Japanese mother who met at the Fort Ord military base (right: her husband)

She learned she was born in a hospital in California, and was finally able to get a hold of her birth certificate (Pictured: Hunterton, her stepson, and her two children)

She learned she was born in a hospital in California, and was finally able to get a hold of her birth certificate (Pictured: Hunterton, her stepson, and her two children)

'I would have no choice but to accept that. I'm not going to hate myself because of choices that had nothing to do with me.'

After years of keeping in touch over email and sharing occasional text conversations, Hunterton and her mother are meeting on May 18. But she said it took years to get to the mental headspace where she could handle meeting her biological mother.

'I have learned that I have given my biological mother more grace than she has ever given herself,' she said in a TikTok video. 'She is finally giving herself permission to live now that she knows I'm okay. It hurts my heart knowing how long she punished herself for something I never thought of as wrongdoing.'

sacrilegious_N · Saturday at 11:28 PM

She's giving her mother more grace than she deserves

Honey4 · Saturday at 11:41 PM

Freja said:
'When I received her email, she shared that she wasn't able to take care of me as she believed I deserved,' Hunterton told People. 'Therefore, she gave me to her roommate who was supposed to take me to an adoption agency. When my birth mother was told that I was actually left at the airport instead, it took quite a toll.'

if she wants to believe this BS than OK, but anyone with common sense knows that a non- biological parent let alone a whole non-relative can't just show up with a random baby at a adoption agency. parental permission and signature is needed

Freja said:
One of the darker details she told Elizabeth, however, was that she was the product of rape. Her biological father's side of the family said anything of that nature was far out of character for him.

Freja said:
her uncle told her that her father was essentially the whole package - kind, funny, a tremendous athlete

Freja said:
She also said in a TikTok video that while she did believe her biological mother was violated, she said she will never know if her biological father was the one who did so.

so she thinks her mothers is lying? becuase her mom said he did?

Mayashi · Sunday at 12:05 AM

The roommate adoption agency story is fishy so it makes the violation story suspect.

anonyme · Sunday at 12:14 AM

This woman has been looking for her mom for years now I remember seeing an interview a few years ago

it is clear as day her mom abandoned her in the airport with no regrets the whole my roommate-adoption story is bs she most likely didn’t want to raise a half black child and abandoned her quite common back in the day

I wish she would appreciate the couple that adopted her and stop this search for her bio-mom trying to find some magical ending

Lyra · Sunday at 12:14 AM

Honey4 said:
if she wants to believe this BS than OK, but anyone with common sense knows that a non- biological parent let alone a whole non-relative can't just show up with a random baby at a adoption agency. parental permission and signature is needed

so she thinks her mothers is lying? becuase her mom said he did?

I agree. I’m going to give her grace because she more than likely wants to see the best in a bad situation, not her being adopted but the reasons for it. Regardless of the brave face, I think in reality it is hard for to contend with her birth mother not caring.

Because let’s be real, that story makes no sense and it’s nonsensicalness isn’t something you have to dig through, it’s front and center. Not only what you have pointed out but also the fact that, going by the article, her birth mother knew she was left at the airport. So, if she cared so much and wanted her daughter to have a better life, then why didn’t she take her ass to the airport to find her when the alleged roommate told her she was taken to an airport. She didn’t come forward at all.

When my birth mother was told that I was actually left at the airport instead, it took quite a toll.'

Adoptions were mostly closed in that time period but if she wanted her daughter to have a good life, why wouldn’t she have taken the child to an adoption agency herself and made sure they placed her with people she could see had a good home and worked

Personally, I think the real story is like many other mixed race children of that time, before that time, and after that time. Her mother got knocked up by a black man and, just like all the prospective adoptive parents who rejected her, her mother did as well.

Beauxregard · Sunday at 12:53 AM

Very unfortunate circumstances brought her into this world but she has had such an amazing life in spite of it all.

AncestryDNA brought forth a surprising match for me last year. Apparently my great Uncle had a baby overseas. I met a beautiful cousin in TX who is a doctor.

Soul2Soul · Sunday at 1:14 AM

anonyme said:
it is clear as day her mom abandoned her in the airport with no regrets the whole my roommate-adoption story is bs she most likely didn’t want to raise a half black child and abandoned her quite common back in the day

I think her mom abandoned her at the airport, because she was the product of r#ape. The child is lucky to be left at the airport.

I often wonder about these abandoned/unlived babies. Were they abandoned and unlived as revenge for what had happened to them?

I mean it makes sense, because they can always get an abortion, at least in those days. Maybe, they had the baby in hopes that it didn't look like the father, and once the baby showed physical traits of the man, they had to get rid of them.

jcoll · Sunday at 1:22 AM

her asian genes are pretty weak. i thought she was half white.

but i'm glad her parents cared for her. i can tell by the condition of her curls in her baby photos

Lalasizzahandsq1 · Sunday at 2:31 AM

Not buying the mother's story at all. She didn't even attempt to find her. I hope she doesn't have her hopes up that this woman is going to love her like the fantasy she has in her mind.

Disclosure · Sunday at 2:45 AM

Beauxregard said:
Very unfortunate circumstances brought her into this world but she has had such an amazing life in spite of it all.

AncestryDNA brought forth a surprising match for me last year. Apparently my great Uncle had a baby overseas. I met a beautiful cousin in TX who is a doctor.

ancestry dna going to expose a lot of unacknowledged/and or outside babies

AfricanStar · Sunday at 2:50 AM

I don't think the father raped her at all. I dont think a random person left her at the airport.

It's clear this bigoted Japanese wretch didn't want to raise a half Black child so she abandoned her.

The mother is trash.

I'm so happy she was adopted by loving parents. May they continue to be blessed.

Beauxregard · Sunday at 3:07 AM

AfricanStar said:
I don't think the father raped her at all. I dont think a random person left her at the airport.

It's clear this bigoted Japanese wretch didn't want to raise a half Black child so she abandoned her.

The mother is trash.

I'm so happy she was adopted by loving parents. May they continue to be blessed.

I didn't want to be the one to say it but I agree.

I think the fact she was darker toned played a decision as well.

The mother definitely left her at that airport.

I don't think she was raped either. These women hung around military bases trying to get husbands especially if they were illegal.

I wouldn't even bother to meet that lady. She disposed of the child because she was black and the father had no intention of marrying her or she wanted the father to be someone else and it was very clear the child was not that person's kid.

AfricanStar · Sunday at 3:15 AM

Beauxregard said:
I didn't want to be the one to say it but I agree.

I think the fact she was darker toned played a decision as well.

The mother definitely left her at that airport.

I don't think she was raped either. These women hung around military bases trying to get husbands especially if they were illegal.

I wouldn't even bother to meet that lady. She disposed of the child because she was black and the father had no intention of marrying her or she wanted the father to be someone else and it was very clear the child was not that person's kid.

!!!!!

She probably thought it was another man's child and when that darkerskinned child came out she went into shock and just left her. Selfish racist heffer. Her claiming the Black man raped her is so racist as well. She taking a page out of the colonizer woman's book. When all else falks claim the Black man you willingly had sëx with raped you. She's a bigot.

Beauxregard · Sunday at 3:48 AM

AfricanStar said:
!!!!!

She probably thought it was another man's child and when that darkerskinned child came out she went into shock and just left her. Selfish racist heffer. Her claiming the Black man raped her is so racist as well. She taking a page out of the colonizer woman's book. When all else falks claim the Black man you willingly had sëx with raped you. She's a bigot.

I wish I had Elizabeth's e-mail I would put her up on game about her "mother".

Clara Barton · Sunday at 4:35 AM

I want to adopt but I don’t want to feel like I’m not enough either.

Clara Barton · Sunday at 4:37 AM

Jsolidus · Sunday at 4:46 AM

Sometimes things should be just left in the dark..That is a lot to unload on a person! She seems to have a really loving family and she grew up in Reno too..They're racist as fµck up there but she still came out good.

I understand curiosity and wanting to know your past but I don't think i would want to know my past if I was adopted. Her bio mom already telling her too much and the sh!t might not even be true! Plus let's be honest, she gave her daughter up because ol boy didn't want to marry her! or the baby was too dark to pass for Japanese or she was sleeping with multiple men and the baby was from the black man so it had to go!

I don't believe the dad didn't know the story and the rape story..kind of iffy but only the bio mom and dad know what really happened..very sad.

MsStatement · Sunday at 5:32 AM

AfricanStar said:
!!!!!

She probably thought it was another man's child and when that darkerskinned child came out she went into shock and just left her. Selfish racist heffer. Her claiming the Black man raped her is so racist as well. She taking a page out of the colonizer woman's book. When all else falks claim the Black man you willingly had sëx with raped you. She's a bigot.

I’m wondering if the mom was actually a sëx worker on that military base. The article says the dad had no idea Elizabeth existed and went his whole life wishing for a biological child. If the mom was a sëx worker and went with a variety of different men she likely didn’t know who she was pregnant by and when Elizabeth was born and she realized she was half black she decided she couldn’t (or didn’t want to) raise her. Sorry, I’m not buying the rape story either. I think that is a cover story.

Clara Barton · Sunday at 5:48 AM

MsStatement said:
I’m wondering if the mom was actually a sëx worker on that military base. The article says the dad had no idea Elizabeth existed and went his whole life wishing for a biological child. If the mom was a sëx worker and went with a variety of different men she likely didn’t know who she was pregnant by and when Elizabeth was born and she realized she was half black she decided she couldn’t (or didn’t want to) raise her. Sorry, I’m not buying the rape story either. I think that is a cover story.

If we had to give her mom benefit of doubt, I can see an angle if she was a sëx worker.

I can imagine sëx workers viewing transactions as rape whether that’s feeling taken advantage of financially or if forced into sexµal slavery.

I can see “the roommate” being a pimp or overseer of sorts.

We’d have more clarification if they pulled the tapes to see who left the baby.

I offer this as a wild possibility.

In actuality, I don’t believe she wanted to raise a biracial child or a child out of wedlock.

Jazlyn · Sunday at 6:18 AM

I admire this woman’s courage and resilience. Beautiful woman with a beautiful family. I get warm loving energy from her father and his side. But her mother seems cold and disconnected, probably didn’t want to be found. I’m speculating of course, but this is what my gut is telling me.

She should absolutely meet her but I think she’ll be disappointed. Best of luck to her either way, and I hope she finds the answers she is looking for.

Sarah330 · Sunday at 6:45 AM

Wow. I agree with all of you, I don’t buy her mother’s story. I think it’s so sad when they search for the parents and then find out that they died. I only knew one adopted girl in life and she could not care less about her biological mother because she appreciated the one who adopted her. I don’t judge them for looking for their natural parents but I feel for the adopted parents.

Jazlyn · Sunday at 7:05 AM

Clara Barton said:
If we had to give her mom benefit of doubt, I can see an angle if she was a sëx worker.

I can imagine sëx workers viewing transactions as rape whether that’s feeling taken advantage of financially or if forced into sexµal slavery.

I can see “the roommate” being a pimp or overseer of sorts.

We’d have more clarification if they pulled the tapes to see who left the baby.

I offer this as a wild possibility.

In actuality, I don’t believe she wanted to raise a biracial child or a child out of wedlock.

I don’t think you’re far off base at all. The fact that she was not properly given up speaks volumes. And I’m talking bare minimum at least a birth certificate and blanket at a fire station.

Again I think she’ll be disappointed. I don’t think this woman can offer any useful information as I don’t think she knows or remembers anything about her father. He likely didn’t know she was pregnant because their relationship was purely transactional. I think everything worked out for the best.

FemmeFatalee · Sunday at 8:49 AM

She knew she dropped that baby off at the airport because she didn’t want any identifiable ties to her that she would have, with using an adoption agency.

She’s crazy as hell for wanting to meet that lady after that sketchy ass tale.

AfricanStar · Sunday at 9:43 AM

MsStatement said:
I’m wondering if the mom was actually a sëx worker on that military base. The article says the dad had no idea Elizabeth existed and went his whole life wishing for a biological child. If the mom was a sëx worker and went with a variety of different men she likely didn’t know who she was pregnant by and when Elizabeth was born and she realized she was half black she decided she couldn’t (or didn’t want to) raise her. Sorry, I’m not buying the rape story either. I think that is a cover story.

I think you are onto something here. She didn't even hit the man up to let him know the child existed so its quite possible she had no clue who the father was.

If the part about the "roommate" leaving the child at the airport is true that "roommate" could have been her pimp angry that she had a half Black baby which would explain why she never called the police or attempted to help/save the baby.

AfricanStar · Sunday at 9:47 AM

Clara Barton said:
If we had to give her mom benefit of doubt, I can see an angle if she was a sëx worker.

I can imagine sëx workers viewing transactions as rape whether that’s feeling taken advantage of financially or if forced into sexµal slavery.

I can see “the roommate” being a pimp or overseer of sorts.

We’d have more clarification if they pulled the tapes to see who left the baby.

I offer this as a wild possibility.

In actuality, I don’t believe she wanted to raise a biracial child or a child out of wedlock.

Yes, I was just saying that too.

That's probably why she never called for help after learning the baby had been abandoned (if it's true someone else abandoned the baby and not her).

AmaShamar · Sunday at 4:23 PM

Oh please non black women love to tell this fake ass story when they have a half black child. Im not believing her

MsLeeLee2 · Sunday at 5:11 PM

AfricanStar said:
I think you are onto something here. She didn't even hit the man up to let him know the child existed so its quite possible she had no clue who the father was.

If the part about the "roommate" leaving the child at the airport is true that "roommate" could have been her pimp angry that she had a half Black baby which would explain why she never called the police or attempted to help/save the baby.

I doubt she really even knew the guy.
Transactional sëx.

I doubt she had a pimp in America. I doubt she had a pimp in Japan as well. Didn't need one.

She left that baby all by herself.

dibbledabble · Sunday at 5:51 PM

Freja said:
Baby Jane Doe who was abandoned in an airport in 1980 reveals she is set to meet her biological mother in two weeks - after perfect storm of mysterious circumstances made it nearly impossible for the beauty queen to find answers

Former Miss Nevada 2004 is set to meet her biological mother in two weeks

Two pilots found her unattended at a gate in an airport in Nevada in January 1980

At long last, former pageant star Elizabeth Hunterton, who was abandoned at the airport after just being born, is set to meet her biological mother in the coming weeks.

Hunterton, 44, had always known she was adopted. In January of 1980, just 10 days after she was born, two pilots found her unattended at a gate in an airport in Nevada.

Over the years, she has shared her journey via social media, chronicling the many bumps she experienced on the road to discovering who she is.

Since there was little to no information about the 'airport baby,' social services referred to Hunterton at the time as 'Baby Jane Doe.'

While she was adopted into a loving home almost immediately, Hunterton was left wondering who she was, and why she was left behind in the first place.

'I was about 10 days old,' she told People Magazine in a 2021 interview. 'I grew up my entire life trying to figure out what I did in those 10 days that ultimately led to them saying, 'Let's just leave her at the airport.''

Former pageant star Elizabeth Hunterton (pictured), who was abandoned at the airport after just being born, is set to meet her biological mother

The 44-year-old said she always knew she was adopted (Pictured: Her adoptive mother (left) and Hunterton as a baby (right)

While she was adopted into a loving home almost immediately, Hunterton was left wondering who she was, and why she was left behind in the first place. (Pictured: her adoptive father (left) and Hunterton as a baby (right)

Since there was little to no information about the 'airport baby,' social services referred to Hunterton (pictured) as 'Baby Jane Doe'

LINK

Encouraged by her best friend to share her story on TikTok, Hunterton has been documenting her journey of searching for her birth parents, as well as being open vulnerable about the emotions and healing that come with discovering the truth behind her abandonment.

Hunterton had a stellar childhood and was raised in a white family in Reno who loved her beyond measure. She was crowned Miss Nevada in 2004 and is still CEO of the organization today. She married a man with whom she shares two biological sons aged 5 and 6, and also a stepson.

She said her adoptive parents had a beautiful way of explaining her adoption, leading with kindness instead of vilifying her birth mother.

'I just remember my mom explaining that I was lucky enough to have two sets of parents: one who loved me enough to raise me and one who loved me enough to give me up,' she said in a TikTok video.

In fact, her parents managed to skip a four-and-a-half-year adoption waitlist.

Hunterton (left) was crowned Miss Nevada in 2004 and is still CEO of the organization today

She married a man with whom she shares two biological sons aged 5 and 6 (center)

Hunterton (centrer) also has a stepson (left) with her husband (right)

Hunterton said she had a stellar childhood and was raised in a white family (left: adoptive mother, right: adoptive father) in Reno who loved her beyond measure

'Social Services called every other potential adoptive parent who has been approved, and those that had been on the waitlist for longer than 28 days, and all of them said no - no they were not willing to adopt a black baby,' she said in a TikTok video.

'They called my parents, and with no questions asked, my mom and dad sped down the hill, picked me up, and I've been with them ever since.'

'If my birth mother had known that I would end up with the world's best and most loving parents, the best teacher she ever could have prayed for, she never would have wasted one second of energy wondering if she made the right decision.'

Hunterton didn't have a known birthplace, birthdate, or race, which made it almost impossible for investigators to help her discover her backstory.

In August 2021, a 23andMe test connected her to a few distant relatives, but none of them were her parents.

'If my birth mother had known that I would end up with the world's best and most loving parents, the best teacher she ever could have prayed for, she never would have wasted one second of energy wondering if she made the right decision,' Hunterson said in a TikTok.

Hunterton's biological father (left) passed away in 2004, and did not know he had a daughter

A distant relative put Hunterton (left) in touch with her uncle (right), who was the brother of her biological father

A distant relative put Hunterton in touch with her uncle, who was the brother of her biological father.

In a TikTok video, she recounted what it was like meeting her uncle.

'I was so warmly welcomed, which blew my mind,' she said. 'called my biological uncle and he was like 'my dear niece, this is the kind of thing you hear about in the movies but you never expect to come to a theatre near you.''

She said her uncle told her that her father was essentially the whole package - kind, funny, a tremendous athlete (which is where she got her athleticism from as she was a varsity track runner in high school). But after a half hour, Hunterton realized her uncle was only referring to her biological father in the past tense.

That's when her uncle informed her that her biological father had passed away in 2004, and that he did not even know of her existence. Heartbreakingly, Hunterton's uncle told her that her father had always dreamed of having a biological child of his own.

'He did adopt his stepson and he loved him dearly, but my uncle said that more than anything, his one unfulfilled wish was a biological child of his own,' she said in a TikTok video.

'It's sad because he did have one, he just didn't know about me.'

Heartbreakingly, Hunterton (pictured as a child) said her uncle told her that her father had always dreamed of having a biological child of his own

'It's sad because he did have one, he just didn't know about me,' she said

Although it only took five days for Hunterton to track down her paternal lineage, finding her biological mother proved to be much more difficult (pictured: her adoptive father (left), Hunterton (center), and her adoptive (right)

Hunterton said when her uncle told her that, she immediately felt the presence of her biological father.

'I knew that the moment he did find out about me when he passed, he became one of my guardian angels,' she said. 'I'm very much my biological father's daughter; we look alike, we talk alike, and the first time I met my biological uncle, he just kept staring at me.'

She recalled: '[My uncle] said 'it's just crazy, it's just so weird to see a young female version of my brother. There a million little things you do that bring my brother back to life.'

Although it only took five days for Hunterton to track down her paternal lineage, finding her biological mother proved to be much more difficult.

Just when Hunterton was about to give up completely, assuming her birth mother was the first of three woman the test matched her with who had passed away years ago, she connected with her second cousin, who put her in touch with her biological mother.

Mustering all of her courage, Hunterton sent a two-and-a-half-page handwritten letter to her. When her biological mother reached out to her, the floodgates opened from there.

Although it only took five days for Hunterton to track down her paternal lineage, finding her biological mother proved to be much more difficult (Pictured: Hunter's 2004 Miss Nevada contestant badge)

Just when Hunterton (pictured) was about to give up completely, assuming her birth mother was the first of three woman the test matched her with who had passed away years ago, she connected with her second cousin, who put her in touch with her biological mother

Mustering all of her courage, Hunterton (pictured) sent a two-and-a-half-page handwritten letter to her biological mother

Hunterton learned she was born to a black father and a Japanese mother who met at the Fort Ord military base. She learned she was born in a hospital in California, and was finally able to get a hold of her birth certificate.

She also learned that her abandonment at the Nevada airport was not the fault of her mother, whom she referred to as 'number four' in her TikToks.

'When I received her email, she shared that she wasn't able to take care of me as she believed I deserved,' Hunterton told People. 'Therefore, she gave me to her roommate who was supposed to take me to an adoption agency. When my birth mother was told that I was actually left at the airport instead, it took quite a toll.'

As if by fate, Hunterton found out she was given 'Elizabeth' as her middle name by her biological mother before her adoptive mother and father knew who she was - a discovery that brought her peace and comfort.

One of the darker details she told Elizabeth, however, was that she was the product of rape. Her biological father's side of the family said anything of that nature was far out of character for him.

She also said in a TikTok video that while she did believe her biological mother was violated, she said she will never know if her biological father was the one who did so.

'I looked deeper into this than anyone else ever has, but when all is said and done and I sit there with that question, 'am I the product of rape?' the one place where my soul finds peace is I don't know if I am,' she said in a TikTok video.

Hunterton (left) learned she was born to a black father and a Japanese mother who met at the Fort Ord military base (right: her husband)

She learned she was born in a hospital in California, and was finally able to get a hold of her birth certificate (Pictured: Hunterton, her stepson, and her two children)

'I would have no choice but to accept that. I'm not going to hate myself because of choices that had nothing to do with me.'

After years of keeping in touch over email and sharing occasional text conversations, Hunterton and her mother are meeting on May 18. But she said it took years to get to the mental headspace where she could handle meeting her biological mother.

'I have learned that I have given my biological mother more grace than she has ever given herself,' she said in a TikTok video. 'She is finally giving herself permission to live now that she knows I'm okay. It hurts my heart knowing how long she punished herself for something I never thought of as wrongdoing.'

Why in the world would she want to meet this raggedy beyatch is beyond me.

LatxLeather · Sunday at 6:26 PM

I am not her. You all are not her.
These are the facts so far. Elizabeth was gladly adopted , sight unseen, by a wonderful, loving couple who WANTED her and raised her with everything n all they had.
Elizabeth had a good childhood ,career, and has a whole, wonderful, normal home life,family of her own.

Tha crime against women was out of character for her biological father , who never knew of her, says those who knew him well.

The bio mother n Elizabeth hav been corresponding via email, texts for a year o so.
I DO NOT totally believe bio lady’s story either.
For Elizabeth, it makes true to her because the bio mown simply said so.

In my opinion, she filled in the gaps of how she came to be. Now she needs to leave it , let it go.

One has to remember in these stories, if there is a meet up, dep nds on many factors: Status of adult child, status of bio parent, parents. In other words, who would not want to be in Elizabeth’s life? She is a good person living a good life….has some money.
If she were strung out, etc., needing help, or just a good person , average looks, plus sized, working pay to pay at Walmart, there would be no need for the meeting, connection, friendship.

LatxLeather · Sunday at 6:34 PM

Oh. Does this woman, the bio mother n new found friend, have family, friends?

Is she going to introduce Elizabeth?
How does Elizabeth’s MOTHER N FATHER feel about their daughter n new found friend bio parent?
How does Elizabeths husband feel about this?

I wish Elizabeth well, but her choice effects 6 other people ( parents, hubby, kids).
I think she should leave well before nough alone. She closed the gaps, holes now thank Jesus and finish living her blessed life.

Maybe I watched too many Lifetime movies.

LatxLeather · Sunday at 6:37 PM

dibbledabble said:
Why in the world would she want to meet this raggedy beyatch is beyond me.

We ate not her. It is really a psychological thing for her, but she filled in the gaps. Why not leave well enough alone and thank God she filled in the gaps , now live on n her wonderful, blessed life.
Go do mentoring work with young , needy B girls, any girls really.

Rainn87 · Sunday at 6:52 PM

Beauxregard said:
She disposed of the child because she was black and the father had no intention of marrying her or she wanted the father to be someone else and it was very clear the child was not that person's kid.

I agree. That was the same conclusion I came to, too. This scenario makes the most sense. The mother was possibly fooling around with several boyfriends, and when she got pregnant, she might have assumed the baby was for a different man, one she preferred more. Hence, the reason for carrying the pregnancy to full term and giving birth to the child. She kept the newborn baby for several days. Before it became obvious, the child was with the man she least liked.

MsPickMesha · Sunday at 7:04 PM

Disclosure said:
ancestry dna going to expose a lot of unacknowledged/and or outside babies

Like me. Smh.

MissDupree · Sunday at 7:27 PM

Closure. People like us need closure. If I knew what I know now back then, I would have left well enough alone, but I couldn’t. I was abandoned as well but found out later, much later in life. Sad.

She will need a ton of support after she meets her.

CaramelnMotion · Sunday at 7:30 PM

That bio-mother is a piece of work.
Her bio-father always wanted to have his own child and that Japanese woman robbed him of knowing & loving his own child in his lifetime.
If she felt some kinda way, she should've left the baby with the father's family instead of lying & dropping her baby somewhere.

Alot of Asian woman were good for this back in the day.
I knew a dude in college who had a filipina mom who left him for his Black American father to raise while raising her older filipino kids instead; dude was messed up because of it in my opinion because there is a reason why she chose not to raise him vs. his siblings.

I hope Elizabeth focuses on the love received from her adopted family & bio-paternal family.
She shouldn't give her bio-mother the satisfaction of being a part of her life's journey & happiness.

East_Afriqueen · Sunday at 7:35 PM

Her son has her whole face!
EDIT: THAT THE HER STEP SON. They weirdly look related
I hope the meeting with her mother is everything she needs it to be!

LieslAlbrecht · Sunday at 7:45 PM

Hopefully she gets what she’s searching for in meeting her bio mother. It was surprisingly fast how Elizabeth found her paternal fam.

This reminds me that show that used to air about meeting missing relatives. Two biracial Black Japanese American sisters looking for their mom who left them w their Black dad. Military marriage, of course; they returned to the States, she left. She said because the girls were Black like their father, it’d be easier for them, he wouldn’t abuse them like he did her or something. Those sisters were upset and I don’t blame them. Moms had a new life as the wife of some white man in another state, never looking for her girls.

Those military base groupies are calculated and ruthless. It’s always domestic abuse to get a ‘quick’ separation and fµck them kids if they can’t pass as fully Asian.

VeronicaBARS · Sunday at 7:48 PM

Elizabeth’s parents are better than me because it would bother me to love a kid with my whole heart and then have to act like some liar that abandoned a baby at an airport was as much a parent as I was. What happened in those 10 days is she got darker and darker. That’s why her mom left her.

violette1984 · Sunday at 8:09 PM

Unless the biological mother was being physically threatened by a pimp or something, I don't see any reason to explain this ish away. I guess it's better than girls that dropped babies in the trash, but the bar is in hell with this one.

Baby Jane Doe (aka Elizabeth Hunterton) who was abandoned in an airport in 1980 reveals she is set to meet her biological mother in two weeks

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Baby Jane Doe who was abandoned in an airport in 1980 reveals she is set to meet her biological mother in two weeks - after perfect storm of mysterious circumstances made it nearly impossible for the beauty queen to find answers​

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Baby Jane Doe who was abandoned in an airport in 1980 reveals she is set to meet her biological mother in two weeks - after perfect storm of mysterious circumstances made it nearly impossible for the beauty queen to find answers

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