Stephanie and Avery

Nine years ago Stephanie Skupien's daughter, Avery McFarland, went missing due to a dispute with McFarland's father. In August the mother and daughter were reunited.

Section:Gallery

Sun., Nov. 20, 2016

Avery McFarland, center, rides her scooter while a guest signs the poster during McFarland’s 13th birthday party in Spokane Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1. McFarland and her mother, Stephanie Skupien, had been apart for nine years due to a dispute with McFarland’s father. This is the first birthday they’ve spent together since the girl was 3 years old.

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Stephanie Skupien writes a simple message to her daughter, Avery McFarland, on a poster during McFarland's 13th birthday in Spokane Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

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Stephanie Skupien ties balloons before the start of her daughter, Avery McFarland's, 13th birthday in Spokane Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

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Stephanie Skupien presents the cake for her daughter, Avery McFarland's, 13th birthday in Spokane Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

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Avery McFarland gets a hug from her mother Stephanie Skupien during her 13th birthday in Spokane Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

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Avery McFarland smiles for the camera during her 13th birthday in Spokane Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

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Stephanie Skupien, left, prepares to cake fight with her daughter, Avery McFarland, during her 13th birthday in Spokane Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

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Stephanie Skupien, left, chases her daughter Avery McFarland after a cake fight breaks out during her 13th birthday in Spokane Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

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Stephanie Skupien hugs her daughter, Avery McFarland, during a junior varsity football game in Spokane Valley on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.

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This is one of the last pictures taken of Stephanie Skupien and her daughter Avery McFarland in 2007. McFarland and her mother Stephanie Skupien have been apart for nine years due to a dispute with McFarland’s father.

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