A mother disappeared after taking her kids to school and was found 11 years later with a surprising story.

Brenda Heist was found alive in 2013, over a decade after she left her kids at school in 2002. Her husband Lee was suspected at the time.

Brenda's family accepted her disappearance and moved on until she came back.

Lee and Brenda Heist lived a normal life in Lititz, Pennsylvania. In 2002, their kids were 12 and 8, and Brenda worked as a bookkeeper.

Brenda Heist returned home in 2013.

Brenda and Lee's marriage was falling apart, according to reports.

Brenda was worried about money during the divorce and looked for a new place to live.

The last time Brenda was seen was when she took her kids to school and then went to a park. She met three strangers who asked what was wrong.

Brenda told the strangers her problems, and they suggested she go to Florida with them. She left with them without telling her family.

Brenda's family reported her missing, and her car was found four days later. Lee was a suspect but passed a lie detector test.

Brenda refused to move to the Florida Keys.

The family was heartbroken, and Lee had to raise the kids alone.

In 2010, Lee had Brenda declared dead.

Lee remarried, but then he got a call saying Brenda was alive.

Brenda had been living a secret life in Florida with a new identity.

Brenda had a relationship with a man and lived in his camper van. She worked jobs that didn't require ID and got paid in cash.

When the man moved to the Florida Keys, Brenda didn't want to go, so she moved in with a friend.

Brenda Heist.

Brenda's friend said she was a great housemate and caused no trouble.

Brenda lied to her friend about her past, saying her husband was dead and she had no kids.

Brenda's family was shocked and angry when they found out she was alive and had chosen to leave them.

Brenda's kids said they suffered a lot after she left.

Brenda's daughter said she couldn't believe her mom would do that.

Brenda's kids didn't want to talk to her, and they needed time to accept what happened.

Brenda said she was ashamed of leaving her family and thought it would be better if she wasn't there.

Brenda was released from jail in 2013 and moved to Texas to live with her mom.