Man Adopts Daughter, Years Later He Founds Out Why Nobody Wanted Her

Adoption is something many people think about. They may be unable to have children themselves or wish to help those in foster care. Regardless, it’s a monumental decision that requires a lengthy process.

One man decided to adopt a girl that no one wanted. She’d been in the system for years, but he loved her and cared about her until adulthood. However, things changed, and he wondered if she had a sinister past that no one had mentioned before now. Had she done something horrible? Was her lineage to blame? Keep reading to find out!

Meet Dale

Dale Jefferson was a single 44-year-old man who resided in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He’d wanted a child for as long as he could remember, but he never married and rarely dated. Therefore, when he met Lise Barber, he jumped at the chance to become a father!

Very Determined

Dale wasn’t sure why he wished to adopt, but he knew he wanted children in his life, and she could be his only chance. He realized later that he probably should have asked more questions because he learned a painful truth 28 years later.

Dream Come True

When Dale adopted his new daughter, he was very happy. He’d wanted to be a dad for a while, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. As a child, he’d dreamed of a big family, but he didn’t have the crucial component to make it all happen.

Single

Though Dale was romantic, he hadn’t found his one true love. Therefore, he was single and had learned to live with that. Still, he hoped to find a child to raise and love, and adoption was the best choice. It wouldn’t be easy, but he was willing to try.

6 Years Old

Lise was 6 years old when Dale adopted her. She had been in the foster care system since birth, which meant dealing with a hard life. Whenever she befriended her fellow orphans, she got close enough to feel rejected that they were picked over her.

Never Chosen

As Lise spent more time at the orphanage, she saw many of her friends get adopted. Though she was happy for them, she was passed over, which made her feel unwanted and even rejected as she got older.

Her Only Chance

It’s nearly impossible for a child that old to find a forever home. Adoptive parents often wanted young babies that they could raise from birth. The orphanage chose to withhold certain information because they worried Dale wouldn’t adopt her if he knew.

A Good Fit

Dale and Lise made fast friends, and she made sure she was good. He worried that he might not be able to adopt any other child since he was a single man with no wife or girlfriend. Therefore, he jumped at the chance to bond with her.

Easier Age

Lise was 6 at the time, so things were easier on Dale. Newborns required tons of attention, but she was already behaved and independent to a point. In fact, she simply needed kindness and a loving family life, and he could provide that!

Years Go By

Dale wanted to have a strong relationship with his new daughter, so they spent plenty of time together. However, she held back. He realized things couldn’t be perfect, but now he wondered if he should do more.

Doing His Best

Time went on, and Dale tried being the best dad possible. He hoped Lise felt comfortable enough to share things with him. Still, he believed she held back, even though he’d opened his heart and home to her.

Withdrawn

Overall, Dale thought Lise was distant. Could she be a recluse? In most cases, she would hang out in her bedroom and didn’t have many friends her own age. Plus, she always seemed to stay out after school to be alone.

Confusion

Dale wanted his daughter to be sociable, but he also wished to respect her choices. She was highly independent and liked her freedom, so he left her alone. It could simply be a phase she would grow out of as time went on.

Nothing Changed

As Lise grew up, nothing changed. In fact, her “teenager” phase never ended, and now she was 18 and heading off to college. Before he realized it, she was moving out and opening the next chapter in her life.

Not Anticipating

Dale wished for her to make the effort to bond, but things got worse. Instead of forming a closer relationship when she moved out, she stopped talking to him altogether. He never could have predicted that would happen after those years of togetherness.

Losing Contact

For the first two weeks, Dale tried calling his daughter, but now she was even farther from home. It was hard while they lived together, and now it would be an impossible struggle to stay in contact with her because she was at college.

He’s Sad

Overall, Dale was sad, especially when he found out she chose a college far away for that particular reason. Now, he couldn’t check in with her and visit. This was hard to witness because she disconnected so quickly and settled into a life without him in it.

Surprising News

Dale decided to surprise his daughter at college one day. It took weeks of planning, but when he got there, the receptionist had some shocking news. Now, he was upset and stunned because he had never expected things to go that way!

She Lied

Lise had actually stopped going to school months ago but hadn’t told her adoptive dad. In fact, she hid the truth from him, and now he had no idea of where she was living. This saddened him, but he was more worried about her safety than anything.

Calling Lise

Before doing anything else, Dale tried calling and texting her, but he never got a response. He realized she didn’t want to speak to him, and that truly hurt. She was hiding something, and he was worried that she was in danger.

Very Worried

Dale believed that he’d failed as a parent. He only hoped to raise a child, and Lise had been his dream come true. Had he done something wrong? She wouldn’t even talk to him. Now, he just needed to know she was safe.

The Last Try

Overall, Dale chose to send Lise another message, simply asking if she was all right. If she responded that she was, he’d leave her alone. Though he was sad to remember the years of raising her, he took it in stride.

She’s Okay

A bit later, Lise replied with two words: “I’m okay.” She didn’t provide any details, such as where she was living or why she’d left school. In fact, she didn’t use the word “dad,” and the entire message was cold.

Making Peace

Every day, Dale thought about his adopted daughter, Lise. It was tough to look back at that text, and he wanted nothing more than to ask what he’d done wrong to make her hate him. However, it had been years since he talked to her, so he was quite surprised when it occurred.

The Mystery

One day, Dale was working in the garden. When he stopped for a break, he noticed he had a missed call on his cell phone. There was no voicemail or text, though. Most of his friends called the home phone, so he went and checked that, but nothing was there, either.

Asking Around

A few years before this incident, Dale had met Hannah. Eventually, they chose to marry. They got on well together, and he went outside again to ask if she knew about the call or who it was. Hannah didn’t, which confused him even more.

The Tragedy

Before meeting Dale, Hannah’s two sons had died in a car crash. This was 20 years ago, but it helped the couple bond and connect. Dale often felt like his own daughter was dead since she wouldn’t speak to him. They understood each other, and it helped to ease the pain.

Dale’s Heart

When Hannah met Dale, she knew he was loving, and he showed that by doing what he could to bring happiness to her life. She now had hope in the future. However, Dale believed that she praised him too much for the things he did.

No Idea

Hannah claimed that she never gave out his cell number and had no idea who had called earlier. She mentioned calling it back, which Dale hadn’t done because he didn’t want to waste his time. Still, it might be helpful.

Phone Rings Again

Dale called that same number again but got no answer. Later, he was pouring a glass of wine when his phone rang. It was the same number, and he desperately wanted to know if it was Lise. Most people used his house phone number, but he had kept the cell in case.

Not Lise

Dale said “hello” a few times, and a man’s voice came on the line. Clearly, this disappointed Dale. However, he heard a woman talking in the background, so Dale asked for the man’s name. Nothing came of that.

Important Message

Now, Dale realized that the male on the other end held his hand over the mouthpiece to get instructions from the woman. Finally, he asked for Dale. This was spooky! Should he hang up? The man then mentioned Lise, and Dale gasped with shock.

Reconnecting

The man on the phone said that Lise was worried Dale wouldn’t speak to her, but he reassured the guy that wouldn’t happen. She finally took the phone but didn’t say anything. Had she hung up? After an eternity, Dale heard his daughter say, “Hi, dad.”

Listening

Lise immediately said that she was doing okay and called to get something out in the open. Before she did, she hoped Dale would simply listen so that she could say it all at once. Dale promised because this must be important.

Getting Answers

Lise said she’d always felt odd about Dale adopting her, and he asked why she’d waited to say that. This led to tears, but Dale believed he had a right to know. It was stuck in his brain that he wasn’t a good father, and now Lise was going to tell the truth.

A Forever Love

In college, she’d met another adopted woman, so they chose to find their biological parents together. Her friend had said she shouldn’t talk to Dale anymore, and then too much time passed. She was scared he wouldn’t speak to her, but he promised that couldn’t happen.

Her Biological Parents

Lise had found the records for her birth parents and went to their last known address. However, she got robbed on the way. She still went there, and a neighbor claimed that the mother and father had a drug addiction and went to rehab.

Lucky Break

Since Lise had no money, she stayed with friends and moved out of the dorm. She worked and finished her degree. As she was looking for an apartment, she met her boyfriend. They soon moved in together, and he supported her in finding her adopted dad.

Tracking

Lise feared that Dale wouldn’t speak to her again, but it was also hard to find him. She decided to go to their old home, and the new owners gave her his last known phone number. Though she had the information, she waited.

Reunited

Dale hoped to be part of her life and meet the boyfriend, so he asked to see her in person. Two weeks later, he, Hannah, Lise, and her boyfriend all met. They finally moved closer and have a good relationship.