How Is a Missing Child Report Generally Handled in the United States?

There are specific proceedures when a child goes missing.

Law enforcement agencies understand the need for a quick response to a missing child notification. The first 48 hours are crucial to finding the child and police begin investigating as soon as they learn about the missing child.

Initial Contact

When a person notifies the police of a missing child, the agency tries to make a decision on the type of abduction involved such as predatory, family abduction, runaway or unknown. The child will be placed on the National Crime Information Center list and if the abduction is considered predatory, the Federal Bureau of Investigation may be contacted.

Notification

Police officers will be notified to look for the child and the abductor if that person is known. They will also look for any known vehicle associated with the missing child. The police will also create an America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response alert and broadcast information via television, radio and newspaper.

Investigation

Police will contact friends and other family members that may have knowledge where the child is located. They will visit the scene where the child was last scene and search for evidence. They may also create a task force to help recover the child and handle any phone calls and other leads pertaining to the case.

References

• National Criminal Justice Reference Service: Missing Child Report
• Klaas Kids.org: What To Do If A Child Is Missing
• National Center For Missing And Exploited Children: Missing And Abducted Children
• AMBER Illinois: About AMBER Plan
• Kentucky State Police: Missing Children