PORT ANGELES — A simple keystroke on a computer has changed a local woman’s life forever.
More than 28 years after her family was separated by California social services officials, DeDe Dessau of Port Angeles is preparing to meet her brother, Joseph Oberlander, after finding him by using an Internet search engine.
“It is strange to think that Joey is almost 32 years old,” Dessau, 39, said. “I still remember him as a 4-year-old boy and am very anxious to see him again.”
Dessau and her three siblings were removed from their California home in 1974 due to parental neglect.
Dessau was only 12 years old at the time, but she said she often cared for her younger brothers and sisters.
“I was their mommy, I took care of the kids and feel a little more complete now that we have found Joey,” she said. “For a long time, I felt that it was my fault and that if I could have taken better care of the family that we could have stayed together.”
Dessau and her sister, Dawn Campbell, lived in separate homes while growing up, but managed to stay in contact.
Dessau, Oberlander, and another sister, 1½-year-old Tamee, were adopted to separate families.
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