In the United States, more than 800,000 children are classified as missing each year. For a missing child, the first 3 hours are vital in finding the child safely. Unfortunately, the problem can be further complicated and the process delayed due to a parent’s panic. In some cases, it may take two hours or longer to obtain essential information about a missing child or juvenile.
What should you do if someone you know has gone missing? When can you file a missing person report?
What To Do When Someone Goes Missing
If you suspect someone you know has gone missing, you should contact your local police department. It is important to provide law enforcement with as much information as possible including where the person was last seen, who they were seen with, what they were wearing, their age, and description.
For a missing child, federal law requires police to send reports regarding missing children to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, it may help to request this once again. Police can help submit valuable information to the National Crime Information Center as well as the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.
What To Do If Your Child Is Missing
When your child goes missing, it is important to contact local law enforcement immediately. Simultaneously, it may be helpful to speak with a representative from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The group has a 24-hour hotline that can be accessed at 800-THE-LOST. It is also recommended that you secure your child’s phones, tablets, computers, and other belongings that could contain information about his or her whereabouts.
If the child is considered a runaway, it is wise to contact the National Runaway Safeline as well. To contact this agency, you should call 800-RUNAWAY.
Getting Financial Assistance For Locating A Missing Person
Unfortunately, searching for a missing person can be exhausting and expensive. Thankfully, the federal government aids the families of victims of crime. By contacting the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime, it may be possible to obtain federal assistance. Child Find of America and the Office of Victims of Crime Resource Center may be able to help.
When Can You File A Missing Person Report?
When you suspect a loved one has gone missing, you’ll want to report it to the police as soon as possible. However, this may not always be possible. In many cases, law enforcement may encourage you to wait 24 hours before filing a missing person report.
For children, you can report it much sooner since time is crucial for finding the child safely.
What Information Will The Police Need When Filing A Missing Person Report?
When filing a report for a missing loved one, it is essential to provide law enforcement with enough information. This includes photographs, descriptive details, identifying marks, and more.
- Several recent photographs
- Nicknames and aliases used by the individual
- A description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and more
- The clothes the person was last wearing
- What belongings he/she may have
- Identifying characteristics such as tattoos, scars, and birthmarks
- Medications the person might be taking
- A list of friends and relatives of the individual
- List of locations the person visits frequently
- Information about their vehicle
- Details regarding the person’s disappearance
Don’t Give Up Hope
When it comes to children, more than 99% return home alive. It is important to be hopeful since the statistics are on your side. In the meantime, there are things you can do to try to locate the missing person. For instance, you can contact the individual’s friends and acquaintances. You should also call local hospitals, jails, and their place of employment.
Putting up fliers and posting information on social media can be helpful as well.
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