This Hamilton family found their long-lost sister — here's why they haven't met yet

After months of searching, a family in southern Ontario finally found their long-lost sister — but they haven't been able to meet the mystery woman.

Andrea Stevens, Simone Cameron, Shelley Kay and Lori Richard are four sisters in Hamilton who made some shocking discoveries in January 2021.

Andrea took a DNA test on a whim and found out she was adopted. Then, after keeping the secret for a month, her sisters revealed they found out their mom had another daughter.

"It was like the ground was pulled out from underneath me ... I was in complete shock," Stevens previously said.

They couldn't go to their parents for answers because they both died. The sisters called cemeteries and other places looking for answers before finally getting information from the Hamilton Catholic Children's Aid Society.

Months later in August, after "lots of random social media messages," the family told CBC Hamilton they tracked down their long-lost sister.

They say she is still in Ontario and grew up with her adoptive parents. The sister also has an adopted brother and sister.

The Hamilton family didn't speak to her directly though, instead relaying messages through her adopted sister trying to find a way to meet — but the long-lost sister turned them down.

It turns out they found someone who didn't want to be found.

"It was initially very disappointing to learn she did not want to connect with us, especially with how challenging it is to finally find that person, but we also recognize and share the raw emotions that come with all of these secrets being uncovered," the sisters said in an email.

"We know she had a family that loved her and cared for her.  We want her to know we will always be hoping to meet her," the family said, adding Andrea wrote the woman a letter from "one adopted sister to another."

Allyson Harrison, an associate professor in Queen's University's clinical psychology department, said it'll be key for the family to give their long-lost sister time.

"Having someone come in and say, 'Hey, the reality you thought you've known your whole life is wrong and here, we want to give you this new one,' is not something most people would be happy with," Harrison explained.

"She didn't have a choice in being given up for adoption so the only choice she really has now is whether she wants to meet with people … if you push, you may permanently push her away."