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| - Details: In 1953 in Buffalo, New York, high school student Eleanor Platt became interested in John Elias, who was African-American and twelve years older than her. The two soon began dating, but there were problems because their relationship was interracial. Eventually, John asked Eleanor to marry him; she agreed to leave home during Christmastime and move in with him. They lived together until January 26, 1954, when Eleanor discovered that she was pregnant. Eleanor returned to her parents and told them that she was pregnant. Her father, who was an alcoholic, was furious and sent Eleanor to a home for unwed mothers. He accused John Elias of rape; he was arrested and also charged with holding Eleanor against her will, even though neither charge was true. John pleaded guilty to the charges
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| abstract
| - Details: In 1953 in Buffalo, New York, high school student Eleanor Platt became interested in John Elias, who was African-American and twelve years older than her. The two soon began dating, but there were problems because their relationship was interracial. Eventually, John asked Eleanor to marry him; she agreed to leave home during Christmastime and move in with him. They lived together until January 26, 1954, when Eleanor discovered that she was pregnant. Eleanor returned to her parents and told them that she was pregnant. Her father, who was an alcoholic, was furious and sent Eleanor to a home for unwed mothers. He accused John Elias of rape; he was arrested and also charged with holding Eleanor against her will, even though neither charge was true. John pleaded guilty to the charges in order to keep Eleanor from going through the trial. On September 13, 1954, Eleanor gave birth to a daughter, Rose Marie, in the home for unwed mothers. Eleanor was forced to give her child up to social services. John was released from jail early and he and Eleanor reunited. They planned to get their daughter back. Eleanor and John decided to tell Eleanor's parents, but her father was again furious and told John to leave. Eleanor's parents had her arrested for failing to obey their orders. She was sentenced to a three-year term at a juvenile center; she was told that her sentence would be reduced if she gave Rose Marie up for adoption. Eleanor later learned that because she was eighteen, she did not have to give her child up for adoption. Eleanor was released six months after her adoption. She wanted to be reunited with John but could not find him. She later learned that he had been literally run out of town due to harassment by the police and others. Due to complications from Rose Marie's birth, Eleanor was unable to have any other children. In 1977, she married Steven Wozniak and they have raised four foster children. John also married and he and his wife had two children. In 1987, John began searching for his daughter Rose Marie. He was able to locate and reunite with Eleanor; they both are now searching for their daughter. Extra Notes: This case first aired on the February 12, 1992 episode. Results: Solved. Eleanor and John's daughter, Sally Lou Riley, was found after her coworker saw the broadcast. She has since been reunited with her parents. John and Eleanor were also able to meet their grandchildren for the first time. Sadly, John Elias died in 2011 at the age of 87. Links:
* John Elias at Find a Grave
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