Abandoned in a toilet as a newborn, this man finally met his birth family — thanks to a TV show

They say 'life is full of surprises,' and only when you least expect it, the universe will drop a miracle, astonishing you like always! In September 1984, Jon Scarlett-Phillips was found abandoned as a newborn baby at a car park. Years later, Jon, now in his 40s, finally met his birth relatives, thanks to "Long Lost Family," a popular television series on ITV. Notably, the episode, narrating Jon's beautiful story of reuniting with his family, was aired recently on June 25, 2025, People reported.

"I was found by three girls. I'm grateful, very grateful that they heard me and found me. They're the ones that saved my life," Jon confessed, explaining how he was discovered in a car park's toilet, wrapped in a blanket inside a plastic bag, and his placenta still attached. The girls who found him first immediately called for an ambulance, saving his life just in time. Jon wasn't just rescued, but he was given a new life, and soon after, he was adopted by a family who raised him with the love and care every child deserves. As he grew old, for the longest time, Jon said he didn't want to search for his birth family, but then something changed in him. "It's hard, it's hard to deal with. The question is still there: 'Why did she do it? '" he gasped. 

Despite growing up in a loving home, Jon always knew he was a "foundling," and that led to anger issues in him. He perhaps went on the show, hoping to find answers that would at least help him deal with his suppressed emotions, and thankfully, Jon did get his answers. Though he couldn't meet his biological mother, Jon did reunite with his two half-sisters, who talked to him about his real story. Well, Jon's mom gave birth when he was only 20 and was battling some prolonged health issues. Reportedly, she felt that she wouldn't be able to take care of the baby and hence decided to leave him in the car park toilet. 

Independent shared a video of the exact moment Jon met his sisters for the first time, and it's the most wholesome thing ever. "Hi! Very nice to meet you," he said, engulfing his siblings in a hug. One look at Jon and you would realize how much the child in him had longed for this very moment. Upon further interaction, Jon, who is now married and a father, shared that he's a chef, delighting his sisters. "We’ve always wanted a brother," one of his sisters said on the show, and to this, Jon responded, "Well you’ve now got one and I’m not going anywhere." Just like Jon, the American Adoption Congress reports that 65% of adopted individuals are curious to know more about their origin — as in meet their birth parents — and 65% want to know the reason behind their adoption. Now, this may happen to people who are raised by amazing adoptive parents, too. Interestingly, the astonishing report further stated that 94% of adopted individuals also show interest in knowing which real parents they resemble more. This signals the deep-seated need for human beings to discover and own their roots.