On January 3, 1997, "Unsolved Mysteries" aired a program about some of Kelly's memories. In conjunction with the telecasted drama, a synopsis of her story appeared on the world wide web. Here is a quote from the synopsis.
"Kelly Helton remembers that in April of 1977, long after her parent's divorce, her mother Connie Jean announced she had a new job 200 miles away. Kelly says that Connie Jean left the next morning, so at age 14, Kelly Helton was on her own. Kelly says she struggled to survive until three years later, when her mother returned and moved back in with her. According to Kelly, the ensuing years were filled with trauma and torment."
"In 1978 Connie had been working at the New London Company in Scottsdale. Connie met Nancy a former co-worker and a responsible woman. When Connie sold her house she and Nancy rented a house in Phoenix together. Nancy, Connie, and Kelly moved in to the home together.
In November of 1978 when Donald first met Connie at her home, she was living with her daughter Kelly. Donald made frequent visits to Connie in the following months. Kelly was present for some of those visits but was living at the house during the entire time.
Kelly began to refuse to attend school. Connie insisted that at 16 years old if Kelly would not go to school, she should look for work. Kelly got a job at McDonalds, 2 blocks from home. As time passed and the summer approached Nancy informed Connie of the lucrative prospects of working in the national park for the summer. Connie decided to look into it.
Connie asked Donald to drive her to the Grand Canyon to inquire about summer work. On April 11, 1979 Donald and Connie took a drive to the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. While there both applied for work. On the day they applied for work, Donald accepted a position immediately but Connie needed to give her current employer two weeks notice. Connie returned to Phoenix having been gone a about 24 hours.
Connie told Kelly of her intentions and informed her employer. Nancy found Sue, another roommate to cover Connie's part of the expenses. Connie left her car with Kelly hoping that Kelly would come and stay with Connie at the Grand Canyon. Throughout that summer Kelly did visit once or twice and Connie made frequent trips to visit Kelly."