'Hatbox Baby' Sharon Elliott's biological parents identified shortly before her death - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

unsolved243 · 12-24-2018, 11:27 AM

This was a relatively well-known lost loves case that was featured in the second season (if you know the story, skip to the third paragraph for the update). Sharon Elliott was found abandoned in a hatbox in the middle of the desert near Florence, Arizona on Christmas Eve. The couple who found her, Ed and Julia Stewart, apparently had a flat tire and discovered the baby nearby. The Stewarts took the baby to police; sometime later, she was placed for adoption.

Decades later, with her adoptive mother dying, Sharon was told that she was the Hatbox Baby. She began a search for her birth family and the truth surrounding her apparent abandonment. Investigator Alice Syman believes that the Stewarts helped to arrange the abandonment and that Sharon was the child of a relative. However, after the story aired, the Stewarts were located and denied having any involvement in Sharon's abandonment.

Years passed, but Sharon never gave up hope that she would find her birth family. Reporter John D'anna continued to investigate the case, hoping for a resolution. Sharon had DNA testing done, but nothing concrete could initially be found. Then, in 2017, D'anna was approached by a genealogist who agreed to help him with Sharon's case. She examined the DNA results and was eventually able to identify Sharon's birth parents.

Her parents were Freda Strackbein Roth and Walter Roth from Iowa. Interestingly, the two married just months before Sharon was born. Sadly, both had since passed away, along with their son James (Sharon's brother). However, Sharon was able to get in contact with a great-niece. Sadly, Sharon passed away on December 1, 2018; fortunately, she was able to get some answers before her death.

It is still not known exactly why the Roths abandoned their child in the Arizona desert, although Freda was reportedly known for wanting to "maintain her image" and a child out of wedlock probably would not help that. D'Anna was able to find connections between the Roth family and Sharon's adoptive mother Faith Morrow. He believes that they may have set up the "abandonment" with the help of the Stewarts.

Hatbox Baby on Unsolved Mysteries Wikia

New clues solve Hatbox baby case

Todd Mueller · 12-24-2018, 12:00 PM

Nice update. Thanks for posting!

James T · 12-24-2018, 12:12 PM

Great update-so sad that she had to waste so much of her life looking for answers that could have easily been left for her.

WishfulDreamer · 12-24-2018, 07:09 PM

Thank you for posting this! I'm so glad she got some closure.

12-24-2018, 11:27 AM	#1
unsolved243 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 11, 2010 Posts: 260	'Hatbox Baby' Sharon Elliott's biological parents identified shortly before her death This was a relatively well-known lost loves case that was featured in the second season (if you know the story, skip to the third paragraph for the update). Sharon Elliott was found abandoned in a hatbox in the middle of the desert near Florence, Arizona on Christmas Eve. The couple who found her, Ed and Julia Stewart, apparently had a flat tire and discovered the baby nearby. The Stewarts took the baby to police; sometime later, she was placed for adoption. Decades later, with her adoptive mother dying, Sharon was told that she was the Hatbox Baby. She began a search for her birth family and the truth surrounding her apparent abandonment. Investigator Alice Syman believes that the Stewarts helped to arrange the abandonment and that Sharon was the child of a relative. However, after the story aired, the Stewarts were located and denied having any involvement in Sharon's abandonment. Years passed, but Sharon never gave up hope that she would find her birth family. Reporter John D'anna continued to investigate the case, hoping for a resolution. Sharon had DNA testing done, but nothing concrete could initially be found. Then, in 2017, D'anna was approached by a genealogist who agreed to help him with Sharon's case. She examined the DNA results and was eventually able to identify Sharon's birth parents. Her parents were Freda Strackbein Roth and Walter Roth from Iowa. Interestingly, the two married just months before Sharon was born. Sadly, both had since passed away, along with their son James (Sharon's brother). However, Sharon was able to get in contact with a great-niece. Sadly, Sharon passed away on December 1, 2018; fortunately, she was able to get some answers before her death. It is still not known exactly why the Roths abandoned their child in the Arizona desert, although Freda was reportedly known for wanting to "maintain her image" and a child out of wedlock probably would not help that. D'Anna was able to find connections between the Roth family and Sharon's adoptive mother Faith Morrow. He believes that they may have set up the "abandonment" with the help of the Stewarts. Hatbox Baby on Unsolved Mysteries Wikia New clues solve Hatbox baby case

12-24-2018, 12:00 PM	#2
Todd Mueller Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 1,626	Nice update. Thanks for posting!

12-24-2018, 12:12 PM	#3
James T Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 23, 2006 Location: England Posts: 1,567	Great update-so sad that she had to waste so much of her life looking for answers that could have easily been left for her.

12-24-2018, 07:09 PM	#4
WishfulDreamer Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 01, 2009 Location: L.A. Posts: 3,867	Thank you for posting this! I'm so glad she got some closure.