How to Give an Accurate Description of Your Child If They Run Away

Having a child run away is many parents' worst nightmare. Being able to provide an accurate description of your child to law-enforcement officials drastically increases the chances of your child coming home safe and sound.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Measurements
• DNA or fingerprint kit
• Recent photographs
• Telephone
• Computer with Internet access

1. Keep track of your child's height and weight.
2. Print or draw an outline of the human body and record distinctive markings on it. Include any scars, tattoos, piercings or birth marks.
3. Get a free DNA and fingerprint kit online from the Polly Klaas Foundation (see Resources below). A fingerprint or DNA kit can help police find your child and make a positive match when your child is located.
4. Contact local law-enforcement officials about getting your child's fingerprints added to their database. This may speed up identification of your child when he or she is found.
5. Make a note of the accessories your child wears, such as jewelry, hair ties, belts, hats or glasses.
6. Give the authorities a recent photograph of your child. An ideal photograph is one taken within the past several weeks.
7. Contact the National Runaway Switchboard toll-free at (800) RUNAWAY for support. You can also find helpful tips on how to give an accurate description on their Web site (see Resources below).
8. Get your child into therapy as soon as he or she returns. Understanding the reasons why your child ran away can help prevent future occurrences.

Tips & Warnings

• You have the right to be given your child's whereabouts as soon as he or she has been located by authorities.
• Although running away isn't technically illegal in most states, children may be transferred to juvenile hall or another detention facility until parents can be located to pick them up. Staying in one of these facilities can be a frightening ordeal.

Who Can Help: