Imagine learning at age six that the woman you thought was your mother had actually kidnapped you as a newborn. This was the shocking reality for Delimar Vera, who spent her early years being raised by Carolyn Correa, the woman who snatched her from her crib when she was just 10 days old.
A Chance Encounter Changes Everything
Delimar’s incredible story took a dramatic turn when she was six years old. At a birthday party, she had a chance encounter with Luz Cuevas—her biological mother. According to Cuevas, she recognized her daughter immediately, through what she calls a “mother’s intuition.”
I gravitated towards her. I remember thinking, ‘This lady is so beautiful.’
Delimar Vera, recalling her first meeting with her real mother
Cuevas took strands of the little girl’s hair, claiming something was caught in it. She then brought this DNA evidence to the authorities, begging them to investigate. When the results confirmed Cuevas was Delimar’s real mother, the six-year-old was returned to her biological family, and Correa was arrested.
Adjusting to a New Reality
While media reports celebrated the reunion as a heartwarming miracle, adapting to her new life was far from easy for young Delimar. She had to adjust to a new name, a new family, a new language, and an entirely new identity. The transition was made all the more challenging by the fact that she received no therapy or professional support.
- New name: From Aaliyah to Delimar
- New family: Biological parents and siblings
- New language: Spanish instead of English
- New home: Moving from New Jersey to Philadelphia
Despite the joyful appearances in media interviews and movie depictions, Delimar struggled emotionally. “Nobody ever sat us down and said, ‘Are you OK? Do you need help?'” she recalls. The focus was on the sensational aspects of her story, not the immense challenges she now faced.
Lingering Questions and Theories
To this day, the motivations behind Delimar’s kidnapping remain shrouded in mystery. Some speculate that Correa, who had a history of faking pregnancies, was desperate for a baby to avoid legal troubles. Others suggest an even darker possibility—that Delimar’s father, Pedro Vera, was involved in the abduction.
According to Delimar’s mother, Pedro had doubted the baby was his, as no father was listed on her birth certificate. Cuevas believes he and Correa plotted together to kidnap Delimar. Although Pedro vehemently denies these accusations and was never charged, this theory added another layer of emotional turmoil for Delimar to navigate.
It was really tough and conflicting. I could understand why my mum believed what she did, but I didn’t want to believe it so I just kind of blocked it.
Delimar Vera, on the allegations against her father
Finding Strength and Moving Forward
As she entered her teenage years, Delimar struggled with depression, anger, and a sense that she couldn’t rely on anyone. She bounced between living with her mother, father, and in a group home. At 19, she found herself in an abusive relationship in a dangerous neighborhood.
But at age 20, Delimar made the courageous decision to turn her life around. “I was sick of feeling sorry for myself, of being a victim,” she explains. She saved up money, moved out on her own, and soon met her now-husband, Isaiah. With his support, she began to rebuild her relationships with her biological family.
Now 26, Delimar says participating in a documentary about her story has been healing. It allowed her to reconnect with a beloved aunt figure from her childhood with Correa, and to have difficult conversations with her father about his alleged role in the kidnapping. Though many questions remain unanswered, Delimar is focused on moving forward.
I’ve accepted that. It’s the only way to move forward. I have to focus on my ‘right now’.
Delimar Vera, on living with unanswered questions about her past
Today, Delimar has found peace and purpose. She cherishes her quiet life in Philadelphia with her husband and stepson, working from home and enjoying time with her beloved pets. And she’s discovered that despite their tumultuous history, she and her mother have more in common than she once realized.
We have the same laugh, the same sense of humor. When I show a little attitude to my husband, I always say, ‘Blame my mother. I get it from my mum.’
Delimar Vera, on her similarities with her mother
Delimar Vera’s story is one of unimaginable trauma, shocking twists of fate, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and child. But more than that, it’s a powerful testament to resilience, forgiveness, and the ability to forge a new path forward, even in the face of the darkest of circumstances.
