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Missing

Melissa Hinako Braden










Missing Person Case September 2021



Missing Person Case September 2021



Missing Person Case September 2021



Missing Person Case September 2021


Melissa, approximately 2006; Age at the time of disappearance: -progression to Age at the time of disappearance: 14 (approximately 2019); Ryoko Uchiyama




Date reported missing : 03/16/2006

Missing location (approx) :
Los Angeles, California
Missing classification : Family Abduction
Gender : Female
Ethnicity :
Asian, Biracial, White


DOB : 04/06/2005 (16)
Age at the time of disappearance: 11 months old
Height / Weight : 2'8, 26 pounds
Distinguishing characteristics, birthmarks, tattoos : Biracial (Asian/Caucasian) female. Brown hair, brown eyes. Melissa has a dark-colored birthmark on her right shoulder, a small reddish birthmark on the back of her neck inside the hairline, and a dark-colored birthmark on her lower back. She may go by her middle name, Hinako, or the nickname Hina. She is of Japanese descent and may use the last name Uchiyama.





Information on the case from local sources, may or may not be correct : Melissa was last seen in Los Angeles, California on March 16, 2006. She was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Ryoko Uchiyama. A felony warrant for child custody deprivation was issued for her on on March 27, 2006, and an FBI warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued for her on May 15, 2006.
Uchiyama and Melissa's father, Patrick Braden, lived together but never married. Patrick stated that when Melissa was 11 months old, Uchiyama abruptly announced she was moving back to her native Japan and taking the child with her. Patrick did not want to be separated from his daughter and went to family court to dispute the move. Uchiyama was ordered to remain within the United States and to surrender her passport. Instead she fled to Japan with Melissa.
A photo of Uchiyama is posted with this case summary. Her DOB : is October 15, 1973, making her 32 years old at the time of Melissa's abduction. She's described as Asian, 5'7 and 105 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Uchiyama was born in Japan and is a Japanese citizen. She is believed to have had training as a kindergarten schoolteacher. She enjoys antique shopping. Uchiyama may use the last name Lin or the first name Ayoko. She has a scar on her abdomen.
Patrick believes his daughter and Uchiyama may be living in Japan with Uchiyama's parents, but Melissa's exact whereabouts are unknown and her case remains unsolved.


Other information and links : ncy

Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
213-974-3607
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Los Angeles, California Office
310-477-6565



September 2021 updates and sources

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
The Polly Klaas Foundation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Children's Rights Network Japan




Updated 5 times since October 12, 2004. November 14, 2019; Age at the time of disappearance: -progression updated.