Full Name: Melvin Charles Horst

Alternative Name: Unknown

Case Status: Missing

Record ID#: 0109

*The names “Jane Doe”  and “John Doe” are English names used when the person’s true name is not known. If used above, the name refers to a person of unknown identity.

Date of Birth*: July 2, 1924
Birthplace: Unknown
Age at the Time: 4
Age Group: Toddler
Biological Sex: Male
Hair: Light Brunette
Eyes: Blue
Skin Complexion: Unknown
Shoe Size: Unknown
Ethnicity: Caucasian or White
Nationality: United States
Languages Spoken: Unknown

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Physical Build: Stocky

Height:

Weight

Distinguishing Marks:

• Slightly upturned nose

Medical Condition: Unknown
Physical Abnormality: Unknown
Dental Condition: Unknown
Scars & Other Marks: A jagged burn scar on his hip
Piercings: Unknown
Tattoos: Unknown

Other Descriptors: Unknown

Clothing

• A checkered sweater
• Homemade Dark Brown overcoat
• Blue Overalls

Possessions:

• A Red Toy Truck
• Stocking Cap

Date of the Disappearance*: December 27, 1928

Description: In the late afternoon of December 27, 1928, four-year-old Melvin Horst disappeared near his family’s home in Orrville, Ohio. Melvin resided with his family near the intersection of Vine Street and Paradise Street. That day, he left to play with four neighborhood friends, carrying a small red toy truck or wagon. The children later reported that they spent time in a vacant lot off Chestnut Street near the railroad tracks. At some point during the evening, Melvin told the others that it was getting late and he needed to walk home. He was approximately one block away from his house at the time.

Melvin’s parents called for him around 4:30 p.m. when it was time for dinner. When he did not return or respond, the family began searching the neighborhood. By 7:00 p.m., they contacted authorities, and a widespread search was launched by 8:30 p.m., led by Melvin’s uncle, who served as the local Village Marshal. Many of Orrville’s 4,500 residents participated in the search effort. Despite these extensive efforts, Melvin was never found. His red toy truck was later discovered in the front yard of his home.

The case drew national media attention and became one of the most widely followed missing child cases of its time.

Multiple Victims?: Unknown

Rumored or Actual Sightings: Unknown

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Date the Body was Recovered: Unknown

Description: Unknown

Possible Signs Of . . . : Unknown

Time of Death: Unknown

Cause of Death: Unknown

Recovered Remains (if partial): Unknown

Suspected Homicide?: Unknown

Multiple Victims?: Unknown

DNA Tested (No Match): Unknown

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Description: Unknown

License Plate: Unknown

Description: A local bootlegger and his son—who lived around the corner from the Horsts—were arrested and charged with abducting the child. A friend of the accused claimed to have witnessed them luring Melvin into their home. Both men were convicted and served three months in jail before it was revealed that the witness had fabricated his testimony. A second trial resulted in their exoneration.

In 1930, the original witness and his father were arrested and confessed to killing Melvin in a garage after he allegedly saw them drinking whiskey. However, neither man would admit to being the actual perpetrator, and both later claimed their confessions had been coerced by law enforcement. No further arrests have been made in connection with Melvin Horst’s disappearance, and his case remains unsolved.