Please Help

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I know that none of you know me at all and that I've only posted here about twice, but I really need some help. My best friend is down because he has no way to find his girl friend. She was in foster care and was adopted by her father and went out of state before he could find out where she was going. She was in foster care because her father molested her and now that he has gotten help the court ordered that she go back. I was hopeing that some of you would know of a people finder that I haven't tried of a place with online court records or something since you guys seemto know the "secrets" of the web and all. Maybe one of you could find her or clue me on to a website that can. I don't know how I can make it up to you but I will try. Here is some info that may help.

What I Know:
-Her name is Mellisa Young.
-Her father's last name is Young.
-She was in foster care in Ohio
-She is between the ages of 14-16.
-She attended middle school in Ohio for a short time.
-Her father is reciveing help for his "sickness".

What I Don't know:
-Her father's first name.
-The city or state where she is.
-When and where the court case took place.
-Her SSC#.
-Her bithdate.
-Any known relatives.

I know this isn't much to go on, but it will really chear him up if I can find her. He feels so terrible right now, he thinks his life is pointless. I just want to help my friend. Any help at all would be appreciated.

Thank you

-- Lejes the Saint of Justice (Lejes_Saint@@webtv.net), June 23, 2000

Answers

You seem to know HTML well enough to format your message with the (br) command. I suspect you're savvy enough to know how to use to search engine to find websites that provide (for a fee) the kind of info you're looking for.

-- (just@my.opinion), June 23, 2000.

A search for sites that do such things does seem to be the way to go. But if you don't have a Social Security number (the best and easiest way, as much as I hate to say it), or even the state, be prepared to spend a lot of time at the keyboard -- "Young" is a relatively common surname.

-- I'm Here, I'm There (I'm Everywhere@so.beware), June 23, 2000.

A pic could come in handy.

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), June 23, 2000.

>She was in foster care and was adopted by her father and went out of state before he could find out where she was going. >She is between the ages of 14-16.

I would strongly advise him to forget her: it is very hard to track a minor, and most of the professional tracers I know won't do it without first seeing a hefty payment upfront.

If this is "real" post -- e.g., a teen looking for another teen, you or he might take a few hours to read the various materials around on how to find people. Ted Gunderson's "How to Locate Anyone Anywhere" would show you some *legal* basics, and Emily Croom's first book on genealogy (don't remember the exact title) has a basic search strategy that works with living people, as well as long-dead relatives. Again, her techniques are legal, which is especially important when dealing with minors.B Both books should be available at your public library (ask the reference librarian if you're having trouble because Ted's book is frequently shelved in reference) or at www.amazon.com

Searching requires patience! If you find that you enjoy this type of work, you have a brilliant future ahead of you as a skip tracer, genealogist, or reference librarian.

If you decide to go forward, good luck!

-- (kb8um8@yahoo.com), June 23, 2000.


Strange request from a person who is obviously intelligent, mature (14-16??? hmm...), and capable. What are you, Lejes?

-- aqua (aqu@fin.a), June 23, 2000.


I'm 18 and yes I've studied HTML. But that hasn't helped me here. I tried the people finders even the ones that cost a fee, but none turned up anything. That is why I was hopeing that some of you would know of a place to search court cases.

-- Lejes the Saint of Justice (Lejes_Saint@@webtv.net), June 23, 2000.

>That is why I was hopeing that some of you would know of a place to search court cases.

One place online is Lexis-Nexis database, but this is a paid service ($180+/yr). However, many universities and community colleges offer it free on campus to their students and occasionally the public. Some law libraries will let non-students use it.

Do you live near a university or comprehensive community college? Go have a chat with the reference librarian. At this point, you don't have the background to search for cases.

-- (kb8um8@yahoo.com), June 23, 2000.


There is no on line database (of which I am aware) that contains local, district court files.

You have commented "One place online is Lexis-Nexis database, but this is a paid service ($180+/yr). However, many universities and community colleges offer it free on campus to their students and occasionally the public. Some law libraries will let non-students use it."

This will not contain the information you need. There are too many of these cases, and no one to enter them into any sort of electronic media readable format. Lexis contains reported court decisions, i.e., things that have been appealed. Nexis is mostly a collection of publication related information. The only way to locate district court files is to figure out where the file is and call the court in quesiton.

One question for your friend -- why doesn't his girlfriend call him? I must admit some suspicion regarding searching for people who do not seem to want to be found. Surely, the girlfriend knows his telephone number. Why doesn't she call him?

Final comment. You may be quite sincere, but this whole thread sets off my "BS detector"

-- E.H. Porter (Just Wondering@About.it), June 23, 2000.


Here are 2 links that I would begin with:

if he's a listed sex offender, this would be the place. Some states have pictures

I would also search municipal courts on the web. I have found out some interesting tidbits through these records. Every state is different, but this site is the most comprehensive I have seen

I used to have one that would search state property records online. It is GREAT. Can view improvements, accessed values, etc., by address or name. If I find it again I'll post it.

-- (doomerstomper@usa.net), June 23, 2000.


Here's that real estate property assessment link. Online databases:

link

-- (
doomerstomper@usa.net), June 23, 2000.



Lejes-

Your persona at the HTML Playground is infamous. You have helped me in this area of learning. I know you are real. I am sorry for your friend, but there are numerous issues here. The web is not the place to search, nor is the court system. Sadly for your friend, because his girlfried is a minor, her records are sealed and unavailable for all but those related to the case. It is very kind of you to extend yourself to someone who is in need. As you get older, this trait will make you a valuable member of society, if you choose to retain it. Compassion for your fellow man is one of our most worthy attributes as human beings. Do not let one failure dampen or hide your spirit of helping others in the future. If you know someone who's father/mother is an attorney, he/she may be able to give you some direction, but do not set your hopes on this, as he is considered "a friend of the court" (as in not yours) as they have the interests of the child at heart (meaning you are not entitled to know because you are not an interested party, as defined by law.) He/she (the attorney) may be able to offer some guidance on the procedures in your state/area/province, but I suspect this is a dead end. Children in the justice system are highly protected by law no matter where you are, as they are considered to be vulnerable and adults are responsible for them. Your friend's best hope is to hear from his girlfriend, as EH Porter suggested. You, nor your friend will ever be priveleged enough to know all the information that went into the decisions here. You only know the outcome. I know it is sad for your friend, but maybe this is an opportunity to learn about the way the government works and why. I wish only the best for you and friend. May you find the path of life ahead a joy to learn about (as you have with HTML)and a place to be contributing members of the society we share. Fight the injustices from a place of knowledge, comfort each other, and welcome to the adult world. It is not always an easy place to be, but it is where we are. Work to make it better. Good luck in your endeavors, whether they be searching or helping your friend or your community. You have already shown how smart you are with your computer, now spend some time learning about our govenment and laws. You, and we, will be better off. You have my respect for looking out for your friend-compassion is one of our greatest attributes as human beings. Be well, and good luck.

-- A (SheriffAndy@Mayberry.com), June 25, 2000.


Thank you and thanks to every one who tried to help maybe we will find hr and ay we wont but I must try though I may be destined to fail I can't give up on a friend. Thank you all again.

-- Lejes the Saint of Justice (Lejes_Saint@@webtv.net), June 25, 2000.

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