Found Safe IL - Kayla Stratton, 24, & Paul, 11 mos, Streator, 17 Feb 2017

[IllinoisMissing]

http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/loca...cle_f583c514-3953-5e87-9574-808d7f893de1.html

The baby was left on a friend's front porch, according to their report. The baby's mother, however, remains missing as of 3 a.m. Monday.

I'm thinking that this may not have a good ending. I pray I'm wrong.





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[JanetElaine]

This sounds way too much like Ashley and Winter Mead's case. I'm very fearful for Kayla's safety. Praying I'm wrong, too.

 

[lizzyblueyez]

Glad the baby was let go and not harmed but sacred about the mom 😢

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[JerseyGirl]

still missing: http://abc7chicago.com/news/new-details-on-woman-missing-from-streator-baby-found/1763885/

 

[Knox]

https://www.facebook.com/missingcases/posts/1631421986878129:0

This guy is very dangerous. Thank God
the baby is safe. Now please let Kayla go.

 

[LocateTheMissing]

https://www.facebook.com/missingcas...865135400495/1631421986878129/?type=3&theater

 

[tlcya]

Clarence Merritte was indicted way back in January of 2015 on two counts of aggravated battery. However a potential guilty plea was never reached because the case kept getting delayed and delayed. In fact Merritte is expected to go to trial next Tuesday for the aggravated battery charges. http://www.lcbcradio.com/wlpo/quick...cle_91f1059c-f82c-11e6-8c19-0bdcd9e9e4f4.html

 

[tlcya]

You can find Mr. Merritte's past court cases in LaSalle County here (I find the search feature works best if you do NOT enter the full name but simply the last and then scroll through the list until you arrive at Clarence's cases): http://lasallecounty.com/online-court-records-2/

 

[JerseyGirl]

.. investigators have received leads from Streator to Chicago and points in between. The case has been featured on Chicago and Peoria television stations.

http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/loca...cle_91a02cb9-e20a-5c53-92b0-8d3ad5f79015.html

 

[cvaldez1975]

what made her want to hook up with this character??? I hope she is ok. than the Lord they released the baby and he was found before the elements got him or he found danger

 

[JerseyGirl]

Clarence Merritte of Chicago, now is officially listed as an “absconder” by the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Addressing reports on social media about phone calls between Stratton and her mother, police said several phone calls have been received but he did not provide details.

http://www.newstrib.com/free/her-ba...cle_59fb0b32-f850-11e6-b229-df24a7e66fb9.html

 

[JerseyGirl]

Clarence Merritte was indicted way back in January of 2015 on two counts of aggravated battery. However a potential guilty plea was never reached because the case kept getting delayed and delayed. In fact Merritte is expected to go to trial next Tuesday for the aggravated battery charges. http://www.lcbcradio.com/wlpo/quick...cle_91f1059c-f82c-11e6-8c19-0bdcd9e9e4f4.html

Merritte currently is set for bench trial next week on two counts of aggravated battery and one count of driving while revoked. With his criminal history, he was eligible for extended terms up to 10 years on those charges.

Merritte was paroled in 2014 after serving half a 12-year term for criminal drug conspiracy. As a leader of Da Hittaz, a hip-hop group that prosecutors said doubled as a drug ring, Merritte and his brother Calvin “Coot” Merritte (still in prison until 2018) used an ever-shifting troupe of vehicles, drivers and “trappers” — addicted women who concealed drugs inside their bodies — to move heroin and cocaine in La Salle County, primarily Ottawa and Streator.

Da Hittaz were effectively disbanded in 2007 when police and prosecutors charged 13 individuals with criminal drug conspiracy, a La Salle County first, and obtained a dozen felony convictions.

The Merritte brothers, mother Joy Forbes and half brother Paul Forbes all challenged their felony charges at a bench trial; but the judge found them all guilty of criminal drug conspiracy. Clarence Merritte drew 12 years, with the judge noting disapprovingly that Merritte refused to cooperate with the probation department in preparing his pre-sentence investigation.

While Merritte’s criminal record is littered mostly with drug offenses, his priors include weapon charges and crimes of violence that have lent the search some urgency.

Merritte previously served 2 years in prison for Cook County convictions for aggravated battery and for a hate crime (2000) and for unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (2002).

http://www.newstrib.com/free/her-ba...cle_59fb0b32-f850-11e6-b229-df24a7e66fb9.html

 

[Flatbush]

Time for my dumb question of the week. Do they put out Amber alerts for adults?


Hopefully her picture is EVERYWHERE. I also wonder if he or she had much cash on them. If not maybe they are not far. I was sure hoping to come in and find she returned safe. He needs to release her, he's making his own situation worse.

 

[Knox]

Checking in, no updates?

 

[tlcya]

Sheriff’s deputies have developed leads and are conducting interviews today in hopes of locating missing Streator woman Kayla Stratton.

[...]

In an update issued today, Sheriff Tom Templeton said the incident happened after a child transfer at 10:30 p.m. Friday, during which Stratton handed off the infant to Merritte, the child’s biological father.

http://www.newstrib.com/free/her-ba...cle_59fb0b32-f850-11e6-b229-df24a7e66fb9.html

Really worried for this young woman.

 

[Paddleboarder]

Time for my dumb question of the week. Do they put out Amber alerts for adults?


Hopefully her picture is EVERYWHERE. I also wonder if he or she had much cash on them. If not maybe they are not far. I was sure hoping to come in and find she returned safe. He needs to release her, he's making his own situation worse.

Sadly, no [emoji53]


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[cuffem]

Clarence Merritte of Chicago, now is officially listed as an “absconder” by the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Addressing reports on social media about phone calls between Stratton and her mother, police said several phone calls have been received but he did not provide details.

http://www.newstrib.com/free/her-ba...cle_59fb0b32-f850-11e6-b229-df24a7e66fb9.html

So I am assuming she could be still alive and has made calls to her mother?

 

[IllinoisMissing]

So I am assuming she could be still alive and has made calls to her mother?

One call.

http://www.mywebtimes.com/news/loca...cle_c85f98b2-c757-50a9-acd5-d51ca7f7617a.html

Kayla's mother, Mindy Stratton said her daughter called at 1:47 a.m. Sunday and, in a calm voice, told her "I'm coming home soon," before the call ended.

Tuesday afternoon, Mindy and her husband, Anthony, confirmed they have not heard from Kayla since that call.

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[tlcya]

Let's hope Kayla is worth more to Merritt alive then dead. Very concerned there has been no more news.

 

[IllinoisMissing]

Let's hope Kayla is worth more to Merritt alive then dead. Very concerned there has been no more news.

Patch put something out but nothing new so I didn't post it.

I wonder if she was supposed to testify against him next week.

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