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Ohio woman finds birth mother where she least expected to: at her workplace

La-Sonya Mitchell-Clark and her birth mother Francine Simmons. Photo: Supplied

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Last Monday, La-Sonya Mitchell-Clark, 38, of Youngstown, Ohio, saw her birth records for the first time.

The Ohio Department of Health had just released birth records for those born between January 1, 1964 and September 18, 1996.

“I picked it up and seen [sic] the Department of Health from Columbus. So, I knew right then and there this was it,” Mitchell-Clark told ABC affiliate WYTV of receiving her records in the mail.

Mitchell-Clark’s records included a long awaited detail: the name of her biological mother.

She immediately looked up the name, Francine Simmons, on Facebook. Simon’s Facebook page stated that she worked at InfoCision in nearby Boardman, which just happens to be where Mitchell-Clark works herself.

“There’s a Francine that works at my job. She works in VR and she works at the front desk,” Mitchell-Clark said.

By the next day, the women were chatting on the phone, crying tears of joy together over the unexpected reunion.

“I’m still in shock. It’s amazing,” Simmons told WYTV.

“I got pregnant when I was 14. I had her when I was 15. I was put in a home, a girl’s home. Had her. Got to hold her. Didn’t get to name her, but I named her myself in my heart all these years.”

InfoCision spokeswoman Samantha Wells called the reunion “wonderful.” She said that Mitchell-Clark has been with the company for four years, her mother for 10.

And while the women crossed paths during this time, they never discovered their biological connection.

“They would come in contact around the building and during events such as our corporate summer cookouts, parties, and using the facilities or in the hallway,” Wells added.

Not only do mother and daughter work at the same place, they live just six minutes away from each other.

Through their reunion, Mitchell-Clark also learned of three other sisters she didn’t know she had. One of them also works at InfoCision.

Mitchell-Clark says her adoptive family are thrilled for her.

“My Mom and Dad have always been supportive of me. (They’ve) always encouraged me to look for them. They’re going to be a part of this, too,” Mitchell-Clark said.