MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 1974-23
Melinda Dawn Evans
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Springfield, Tennessee
Summary:
Melinda Evans was last seen in Springfield, Tennessee during the summer of 1974. She was traveling with her mother and the mother’s boyfriend from Illinois at the time. The two adults reported that they left the child unattended for just a few minutes while they used the restroom at a rest stop. When they returned to the car, the baby was discovered missing.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
Melinda was last seen with her mother, Judith Evans. The two were traveling from Chicago, Illinois to Columbia, Tennessee with Judith’s boyfriend, Jerry Hart. The two stated they stopped at a restaurant on Interstate 65 at 2:30 am on August 4th 1974 so Judith could use the restroom. The child was sleeping on a pillow on the floorboard of the vehicle. They left Melinda in the vehicle unattended for approximately five minutes. Judith said she realized her baby was gone. She also found her purse which contained her identification and approximately $18 in cash was also missing from the car.
Additional Details:
Melinda’s mother and Jerry Hart planned to move to Tennessee as well as get married. The woman was recently divorced from the girl’s father whom she has one other child with besides Melinda. Her ex-husband received custody of both children following the separation. However, he could not care for both kids so he allowed Judith to take Melinda. Melinda has not been seen or heard from since her 1974 disappearance. Police suspect she was abducted but no suspects have been identified or arrested. Sadly, her case remains unsolved.
Case Last Updated:
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