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Scott Merz was illegally sold into adoption and now is searching for his birth mother.  Scott Merz  Scott Merz, around the time of his adoption CASE DETAILS  He had recurring dreams of a hospital hallway In November of 1959, 18-year-old Dylene Zolikoff was alone, scared, and seven months pregnant. She was taken in by a nurse in San Antonio named Ethel Nation. On January 6, 1960, Dylene gave birth to a healthy baby girl. But while Dylene was still in the hospital, Ethel took the infant away:
Ethel Nation always denied that she had anything to do with the abduction of Dylene’s baby. But in 1968, Dylene found a photograph of her daughter in Ethel’s house. It took another 15 years of searching before Dylene and her daughter were reunited on national television:
While the story of Dylene and her daughter had a happy ending, the stories of two other young people who were sold by Ethel Nation are far from over. Scott Merz was born in San Antonio in 1965. His adoptive parents were unable to have children and paid Ethel twelve hundred dollars for Scott. Scott grew up knowing he had been adopted. But when he was 10, Scott began having a strange, recurring dream. Scott’s dream seemed to be about the mother he never knew, and perhaps, the place where he was born:
 “I felt like very horrible things went on there.” When Scott was 18, he and his adoptive mother, Mary, began an intensive search for his birth mother. Scott started his search with a visit to Ethel Nation: “She seemed really nice… like she wanted to help. Scott and Mary visited Ethel on six occasions. With each new visit, Ethel changed her story. At various times, she told Scott he had been born in three different hospitals. However, none of the hospitals had his birth records. On the final visit, Ethel lost her temper and revealed what, she said, was the bitter truth about Scott’s mother:
Scott and Mary refused to give up. They decided to visit yet another place where Ehtel said Scott had been born. According to Scott, the place was a community health center known as the Woodlawn Clinic:
 It was the hallway he’d seen in his dreams But that was the only satisfaction Scott would receive. Sadly, Scott never found his birth mother. He did, however, meet a young woman who had a remarkably similar experience with Ethel Nation. Dawnette Barker was adopted in July of 1966 by a childless couple from San Antonio. As a last resort, Dawnette’s parents approached Ethel Nation after years of trying to adopt through state agencies. Dawnette learned that on the night she was adopted, her parents had to choose between her and two other infants:
When she turned 18, Dawnette found that her mother’s name was listed as Gloria Cantu. The adoption papers had been notarized by Ethel Nation. There is no way of knowing how many babies were sold by Ethel Nation, who died in 1991. Scott Merz and Dawnette Barker now suspect that there may be dozens of young people who, like them, will not be able to rest until they are re-united with their natural mothers. Dawnette Barker’s birthday is listed as July 21, 1966, but she may have been born weeks earlier. Her mother, Gloria Cantu, may have been 23-years-old when Dawnette was born. Update: On the night this story aired, several viewers called on behalf of Dawnette’s birth mother Gloria Cantu Martinez. A short time later, Dawnette spoke to her mother for the very first time and learned that Gloria had never wanted to give her daughter up for adoption. Ethel Nation had tricked her into signing the papers. Dawnette made plans for a long overdue reunion with her birth mother. Within a few days, Gloria flew to see Dawnette in Washington, D.C.:
The reunion was made even more special when Gloria met her four grandchildren for the first time. Dawnette’s dream of having her entire family together had finally come true. Scott Merz is still looking for his birth mother. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season five with Robert Stack and in season eight with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. SUBMIT A TIP |
Steve Charter
Did Scott find his mother yet? Just wondering
Anthony Durrant
Lately, l have been recalling the story of a man who appeared on UM searching for his long lost elder brother, who’d been kidnapped as a baby. I have no memory of how he learned of his brother’s existence, but l understand either his mother revealed his brother’s existence on her deathbed or he found the birth certificate among her effects after she died. Either way, he wanted to find him, and l’ve never learned of any update to that case.
Ted D Hastings
My birth mother Nina Gonzales was a victim of this woman, Nurse Nation took me for payment and sold me to an adoption agency. Then told Nina that I was dead not worry about me anymore…Nina believed her…I was adopted by a white family and was told my mother was a drug addict and she didn’t want me..Well, 52 years later we found each other through ancestry.com … The Hole is filled in my heart and hers… Ted Hastings
Dnielle
I pray in the mighty name of jesus you all find your birth familys and fulfill your longing
H Hinson
TAKE AN ANCESTRY AND 23&
ME TEST. Even if you don’t find a direct parent match, you will very likely find other relatives and it’s simple to trace from there. Any genealogist can help you. Also petition the county judge in the county where you were adopted to get your original birth certificate released. Tell your judge you have reason to believe your adoption was fraudulent. They are more likely to help you. DNA does not lie. Do the test!!
K
Unfortunately it is not always that simple. I took multiple commercial ancestry tests. Found out my birth father was not who I was told he was. (A man 14 years younger was). Found my real birth fathers family BUT he was ALSO placed for adoption. His adoption was through an agency so they have no info on him and his mom my grandmother had a tramatic brain injury just a few months after he was born so does not remember his birth date. All I have to go on he was born at the end of 1959 in rochester ny.
Peary
What was Scott’s adopted parent’s names first and last names. Did his adopted parents name him Vincent Scott
Dawnette
Yes. Vincent Scott. I actually have a copy of his adoption papers . We were close friends and filmed unsolved together. I haven’t spoke with him in years though. The name used on his birth certificate as his birth mom was Joyce Koehler,Koehlier but we thought it was fake. Ethel changed and gave wrong names
Dawnette
His adopted parents names were Woody and Mary Merz
Matthew
Hello Dawnette. I was watching the episode of Unsolved Mysteries which featured you and Scott. I am so glad you were able to locate your birth mother. I hope Scott will have sone luck in locating someone in his birth family. Many years have passed since the original airing of that episode, but miracles do happen. Positive light!..
Kimberly Walker
My family too was a victim twice to this Nirse Nation. My grandmother and my aunt! Luckily they both found us cause we had no idea of both of them. Lisa Jones and Scott Kneupper
Guevara
Do u know of a daughter that also was evidence of her accused wrong doings that lived with her. In date of birth 24 Jan 57?
Shuli
I see a lot of people addressing Scott but do not see any responses from him on this feed?? anyone know if he’s made any progress ?
Rose
My mother had twins a boy and a girl in the 50’s and suposedly the boy died and the other was stolen from my mom. She was tricked into signing papers. Her baby was never returned to her and it was adopted out without her consent and she couldn’t get her baby back and she never saw it again and no one would tell her anything. We don’t know where our mother had her babies or if it was at one of these San Antonio Clinics. It makes me wonder if Ethel was involved in this. Greatfully we have located this baby and unfortunately she didn’t get to meet our mother because she has passed away. But she would like to know who her biological father is and maybe her twin brother isn’t dead. Although we are so happy she found us, she now gained a family of 10 brothers and sisters!
Maria Patricia Ybarra
Also born at Woodlawn Hospital
San Antonio, Texas 1967.
I am not adopted. I went home with my family when I was born.
Anonymous
I was born August 5,1965 in San Antonio. Adopted. Don’t know anything about myself. My late wife found the story, and spoke to Scott. She wanted me to get a dna test. I’ve been afraid of how it would feel to discover that some subhuman had stolen my life from me. I’ll get the test, but where do I do it Scott?
Monica
Please do a DNA test and you will be surprised to find your family.
I used family tree , 23 and me, ancestry and my heritage
Good luck!
Jennifer
I’m pretty sure my husband wrote that message. I would like to help him out. Please help me get in touch with Scott Merz.
Anonymous
Scott, I began a similar search in NY in my late 50s after my adoptive parents died. After about 3 years, I connected with 3 of my 5 siblings, who welcomed me. The biological parents were dead by that point, but I found out a lot about the family and hereditary health conditions. Texas may have 2 birth certificates for you, one public and one sealed. NY released info from my sealed certificate after a mandatory one-year waiting period. Try doing a public records request. Also, genealogical hobbyists in San Antonio may be able to assist you. Try the public library’s reference dept. Google is another great tool. Best of luck in your quest.
Anonymous
Scott, I’m so sorry for what you have been through. I can’t believe Ethel would sell newborns to other families for money. I hope she gets what she deserves.
And I hope you’ll find your birth mother soon. I’ll be praying for you and everyone out there who has went through the same situation that involved Ethel.
Anonymous
Ethel Nation was paid, for 54 boys and 63 G Babies, she is still doing it, at the daycare, she has set up, a abduction, on field trips, hope this helps
Willie
She died in 2010. I’m sure she is burning in hell, hopefully.
Chrystal
Unsolved Mysteries said Ethel Nation died in 1991.
Anonymous
Dawnette, How did you find out your bio mom’s real name?
Anonymous
Denna is right, Scott. You should try Ancestry.com. It can help you find your birth mother.
Greg Martinez
This is crazy my birth certificate says Woodlawn Woman’s hospital in San Antonio Texas , I’m adopted. But my social security number from Kansas
karen
Scott.I’m also searching for My twins. A boy and a girl born feb28,1980 in Charleston West Virginia hospital. They were taken at birth and the hospital in 2009,told I was never a patient there. I was 16. I don’t know who to turn too for help but best wishes in your search
Anthony Jones
Has Scott tried to look into the Texas Birth Index at all? I know that in the episode it said that he seen his birth certificate and it had a false name on it of his mother. If you look at this info this might help him
Name Scott Douglas Kneupper
Event Type Birth
Event Date 28 Jul 1965
Event Place Bexar, Texas
Gender Male
Father’s Name Reno R Kneupper
Mother’s Name Betty Jo Wilks
According to the birth index, there was another child born named: Susan born 1955
Both of the aboved parents are still alive. They had a grandchild who passed away in 2012. The above parents were in the obituary
Jimbo
I think Scott should sign up to Long Lost Family. Now, it’s been renewed.
Vicki H.
Who ended up with the speed boat?
Donna
I am with a man with the last name Merz sparked my interest when I was watching unsolved mysteries. Don’t know if there is a connection but got me interested
Eric W Bohannon
When he worked or went to the Super market, where he grew up, there was interaction with his mom, and I get that You have the same mouth and nose, and dirty blond and colors her hair, she has a small dog, as your eyes and forehead is genetically from Your Biological Dad. is what I get
Eric W Bohannon
Your Real Mom is 4.5 mile drive, and she comes in to the proximity, You her son, and every time, she sees you, she know in her gut, She Cries For You, I see You helping her with a cart at the supermarket. Hope this helps.
Kayla
Did Ethel nation ever get charged for these abductions? She’s ruined many lives very sad.
Maryellenduncan
I’m Scott’s aunt. Miss Nation burned all the records and then died. If anyone was born there please contact Scott. His adopted mom died a couple of years ago. Scott told me there’s always a hole in his heart until he finds his birth mom.
Bobbie Rediker
Did ethell nation ever face any charges? Is she still alive, did she have children of her own.
She should be jailed. Was her license ever revoked.
Julie cooke
I am also a baby that was adopted out by ethel nation… my adopted parents told me they paid ethel $1500 for me in 1968. i wish i could find some information on my birthmother or family contact info is coachjgc@yahoo.com
Samantha Baker
Julie is meeting birth family today!!!! Will meet birth mother soon!!
Mimi
Is there any way to contact scott?
unsolved
Unfortunately we do not have current contact information for him.
Pam
Do not give up. DNA will give you your answers to both your maternal and paternal families. I was a stolen baby and I tested with ftdna, ancestry, and 23andme. I found my two half sisters and an uncle (confirmed w/dna testing of my sister, a half sibling). I am now looking for my birthfather. I started searching in 1977. My sisters were told I died when I was 2 days old. When I met them the first thing they said to me is that our mother “would never have given you up. Never. ”
I do not know if my mother was told the same story or not (she died a decade before I found my sisters). The test for family finder at all of the above databases is about $100 each. It will be the best money you will ever spend. DNA doesn’t lie like the baby brokers do. All of my court records were falsified. Everything. Even my birth month and date. Do not give up. Keep chugging along and let your DNA tell you the truth. DNA doesn’t lie. Thank goodness that adoptees now have a place to find the truth. Good luck.
Joann
Scott I’m so sorry to hear that you’re not having luck finding your parents. I know that this may sound funny but if I was in your position I would try anything anybody would suggest. That you’re not having luck finding your parents. I know that this may sound funny but if I was in your position I would try anything anybody would suggest. Did you ever consider contacting Dr. Phil? I know he has had a gentleman on his show that could track down long lost family members. I hope you find the answers you’re looking for.
David
There is a TV show in the United Kingdom called Long Lost Family. You can check it out on Wikipedia and read all about it. I think it’s time for us to have our own version of Long Lost Family here in America. Do you?
Denna
Dear Scott I was given away too : only baby pictures taken from me : made so hard for me to prove : Blonde baby in a incubator and me released to the people who were not my parents with red hair : I thought it was going to be impossible to prove : I prayed everyday for a answer I found it ancestry dna : Scott I found my second cousin as you and I both know given away that was a miracle : good luck I hope you find the strength to take this dna test find your ancestors it worked for me I hope it works for you : I am JANEDOE1687 on ancestry : My second cousin is a King : although he is not much of a sharer I know the truth: That’s what matters: good luck scott ” sincerely, denna , JANEDOE1687