An 11-year-old schoolgirl who was abducted near her home in California 18 years ago imagewas today being reunited with her shocked family after walking into a police station.

Jaycee Lee Dugard was on her way to school when she was pulled into a stranger’s car just a block away from her South Lake Tahoe home. Her stepfather said image he heard her scream and saw a man and a woman drive the terrified girl away in a grey car.

Exhaustive searches drew a blank until the 28-year-old woman revealed her true identity in tiny Antioch, a suburb of San Francisco.

Carl Probyn, Jaycee’s stepfather, said he had given up hope of seeing her again.

"Then you pray that you get her body back so there is an ending. To have this happen where we get her back alive, and where she remembers things from the past, and to have people in custody is a triple win. It’s like winning the Lotto."

Police have taken two people into custody in connection with the abduction of the woman, who is now 28.

If only all these tragic stories could have the same happy ending…

In memory of those who are still missing.