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The most frightening thing that can happen to a parent is for a child to go missing. The first three hours are the most crucial time to find your child; after that, the chance of a successful recovery diminishes significantly. If you experience a missing child emergency, here are some steps to follow:
If your child is missing from home
Search the house checking closets, piles of laundry, in and under beds, inside large appliances, and inside vehicles, including trunks - wherever a child may crawl or hide.
If your child disappears in a store
Notify the store manager or security office. Then immediately call your local law-enforcement agency. Many stores have a Code Adam plan of action— if a child is missing in the store, employees immediately mobilize to look for the missing child.
If you still cannot find your child
Immediately call 911, as well as county sheriff, state police and highway patrol. If you meet resistance demand to speak to the watch commander and insist that they take a report and enter the information into the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC) at once.
When you call law enforcement
Provide your child's name, date of birth, height, weight, and any other unique identifiers such as eyeglasses and braces. Tell them when you noticed that your child was missing and what clothing he or she was wearing.
Are you already an InstantAmber subscriber?
Tell law enforcement that your child is subscribed with InstantAmber, and immediately provide them with your email address and Law Enforcement password, so that they can instantly download the information and photos that they will need to help find your missing child. Tell the officer when you noticed that your child was missing and what clothing he or she was wearing.
If you believe that your child has been kidnapped
Contact the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.
If you believe that your child has run away
Contact the National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-786 2929 or www.1800runaway.org.
Never Give Up Hope!
As long as you believe, hope remains eternal.
