She was played by child actors Joseph Trent Everett from October 18 to November 29, 1971, Matthew Bowman from December 16 to 29, 1971, and Kim Durso from April 15, 1975, to June 25, 1976.

She runs away from her private school, unable to deal with her trouble-making mother Linda, who wanted her back in order to get her hands on Anderson Manufacturing.

Melissa's relationship with Pete experiences various challenges, including Linda's attempts to sabotage it by pretending to have slept with him.

Despite Linda's failed scheme, she decides to leave town, offering a final apology that Melissa reluctantly accepts.

Melissa eventually falls in love with Jack Deveraux but is heartbroken when he marries Kayla Brady instead.

Melissa returns two years later and immediately realizes that her cousin, Jennifer Horton, has fallen in love with Jack, who by this time is trying to become a better person.

Melissa tries to discourage her cousin from getting involved with her former fiancé and encourages Jennifer's boyfriend Emilio to propose.

Melissa eventually leaves Salem with her adoptive sister Sarah Horton, and the two settle in Nashville.