Preps

Jefferson WR may catch break

An investigator may be close to finding the father Darrell Young has never met.

By JOE SMITH
Published October 14, 2007

TAMPA - With some help from a local private investigator, Jefferson senior receiver Darrell Young may fulfill his lifelong dream of finding his father.

The Times profiled Young in September, detailing his special relationship with his late cousin, former Dragons linebacker C.J. Mills, and his ongoing search for a dad whom he said he's never met.

The story was passed along to St. Petersburg investigator Lynn-Marie Carty by her son Jason Heath, who said it "hit close to home." Like Young, whose cousin Mills was shot and killed in his own driveway in April, Heath's life was dramatically impacted by gun violence; his dad, David Heath, was gunned down in January.

Carty, who runs ReunitePeople.com, has worked Young's case for a month and believes she has located his father. Carty is trying to get in contact with the man, whom she says lives in northern Florida, to offer him a free DNA test. "I may have to drive up and knock on his door if I have to," Carty said.

Young moved back to Tampa to live with Mills' grandparents last winter from Monticello, where he worked 30 hours per week at a dog track to help support his six siblings. The 18-year-old came here for a second chance, and thanks to a hardship waiver he received in August for eligibility in his fifth year of high school, Young has been chasing his goal of a football scholarship (already receiving interest from Pittsburgh and Middle Tennessee State).

"Here this kid is, chasing his dream alone, overcoming all the odds," Carty said. "And all he wants to know is the answer to the basic question: 'Who is my father?' I hope we can help."

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or at (813) 310-9024.

[Last modified October 13, 2007, 23:38:58]