The Foundling: A True Story of Kidnapping, Family Secret, and Finding One's Identity

In 1964, a woman posing as a nurse kidnapped an infant boy named Paul Fronczak from a Chicago hospital. Two years later, the police discovered a boy abandoned outside a variety store in New Jersey. The FBI tracked down Dora Fronczak, the kidnapped infant's mother, and she identified the abandoned boy as her son. For the next fifty years, the family believed they were whole again, but Paul was always unsure about his true identity.

This is the inspiring and "page-turning" (Booklist) true story of a man who discovered that he had been kidnapped as a baby—and how his quest to find out who he really is upturned the genealogy industry, his own family, and set in motion the second longest cold case in US history.

Four years ago, spurred on by the birth of his first child, Emma Faith, Paul took a DNA test. The test revealed that he was definitely not Paul Fronczak. From that moment on, Paul has been on a tireless mission to find the man whose life he's been living—and to discover who abandoned him, and why.

Poignant and inspiring, The Foundling is a story about a child lost and a faith found, about the permanence of families and the bloodlines that define you, and about the emotional toll of both losing your identity and rediscovering who you truly are.

The journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, as Paul navigates the complexities of his newfound identity. He has delved deep into his family's past, uncovering long-buried secrets and grappling with the profound implications of his discovery. The case has also had a significant impact on the genealogy industry, as Paul's search has shed light on the limitations of traditional methods and the need for more robust DNA-based technologies.

Throughout it all, Paul's determination to uncover the truth has been unwavering. He has faced numerous setbacks and dead ends, but his resilience and tenacity have driven him forward. The Foundling is a testament to the power of the human spirit, a story of resilience, courage, and the pursuit of self-discovery.

As Paul continues his quest, the story stands as a reminder of the importance of identity, the fragility of family bonds, and the enduring mysteries that can shape our lives. The Foundling is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will leave a lasting impression on all who encounter it.

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