12/19/2025
A 40-year missing child case came to an end after the mother of a missing girl was arrested in The Villages on Monday. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested the mom, who had been living in a new state, with a different husband and a new name.
Debra Newton was arrested on Dec. 15 in The Villages after she was stopped by deputies at her front yard while walking her dog. Newton’s neighbor was seen on body camera joking that deputies were there for Newton, who was called “Sharon.”
Deputies confirmed they were there to arrest “Sharon,” who appeared confused about the situation, even telling her husband that she didn’t know why she was being arrested.
Debra Newton, 67, is connected to a 42-year-old case involving her missing daughter, Michelle Newton.
On April 2, 1983, Debra claimed she was relocating to Georgia for a new job and to prepare a new home for their family, including Michelle and Debra’s husband, Joseph Newton. However, after a final phone call between Debra and Joseph, both the mom and daughter vanished, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office out of Louisville, Ky reported.
During this time, Michelle – who had also been living under a different identity and not in Kentucky – learned that she was Michelle Newton, who was reported missing in 1983. The sheriff’s office said Michelle contacted their office as an adult. They facilitated reuniting her with her father and extended family.
“She told us she didn’t realize she was a victim until she saw everything she had missed,” Col. Healey of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said.