“From Online Chat To Toxic Manipulation” is a Southwest Jewish Congress in-person program. On Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 7pm at the Aaron Family JCC, Stephanie Baldwin will share her family’s story. This riveting true story is about a teenage girl who was seduced online by a charming young Muslim man from Kosovo, and her parents who ultimately worked with the FBI to save her from disappearing forever.

The Baldwins were a strong Christian family, living in Plano, Texas. When their seventeen-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, met Aadam in a random-match online chat room, she fell for his good looks, his charm, and his respectful conversation. He told her he lived in New York, and they began an online friendship.

Over the course of a few months, Aadam revealed that he actually lived in Kosovo and had only pretended to live in New York so Mackenzie would keep chatting with him. The more attached she became to Aadam, the more detached she became from her family and secretly made plans to fly to Kosovo where she and Aadam would be married.

As time passed and as part of the healing process, MacKenzie and her parents wrote the book “Almost Gone: Twenty-Five Days and One Chance to Save Our Daughter”. The book will be available for purchase at the program for $10. After her presentation, Stephanie will be happy to autograph the book.

Told from the viewpoint of parents and daughter, “Almost Gone” follows Mackenzie’s network of lies and deceit and her parents’ escalating bewilderment and alarm. More than a cautionary tale, this is the incredible story of unconditional parental love, unwavering faith, and how God helped a family save their daughter from a relationship that jeopardized not only her happiness, but also her safety.

The program is complimentary. Seating is limited. Reservations are required – RSVP via email to susan@swjc.org or call 214-361-0018.