How to Prepare a Child Kidnapping Emergency Plan

No one wants to think about it because it's a parent's worst nightmare: your child is kidnapped. Prepare now to have all the information at your fingertips and you'll save precious time and get the information to the authorities immediately. Not only will you increase the chances of finding your child alive, you'll save yourself untold stress during those horrific moments when you can't possibly think clearly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Don't wait! The moment you feel that sinking feeling and panic, call the police and trust your instincts, even if it's only been 30, 60 or 90 seconds of separation from your child. Time is absolutely critical, so call 911 or your local police immediately. Have that number programmed into your cell phone or on your fridge for immediate access.
2. Contact a store manager immediately if you lose your child while shopping and be aggressive and insistent that they call police immediately. Have them lock down the entire store and issue an alert over the public announcement system. Have security wait by the exits.
3. Yell out for your child while you search them at a store, at home and in the yard, inviting him or her to go for ice cream together. Try to keep a calm excitement in your voice over the ice cream while you search. If they're truly hiding, they'll come out for ice cream, cake or another favorite treat. If they hear you frantically screaming for them to come out, they'll continue to hide out of fear of being in trouble.
4. Continue to search for your child inside while waiting for the police to arrive. At home, check the dryer, washing machine, dish washer, freezers, closets, under beds and anywhere else you think looks like an inviting hiding spot for children.
5. Search outside your immediate surroundings. Check obvious water sources such as pools, lakes and rivers, calling on neighbors to help as you search until police arrive. Search any abandoned cars, especially the trunks. Look up in trees, in leaf or hay piles, down in caves or near construction sites.
6. Prepare and give the responding officers your child's identification folder and all the information they request from you. You should have a folder with recent photos of your child, identifying scars, moles, or features, and current height and weight information.
7. Immediately request that your local law enforcement enter your child's information into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Person File.
8. Call 1-800-843-5678, which is the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, after reporting your child missing with local law enforcement.
9. Be prepared to take polygraph tests as soon as possible. This may include you, if you were the last know person with your child, as well as other family members who may have been near your child at the time. Consult your lawyer, and submit to the polygraph as soon as possible.
10. Respond well to your local authorities and community as they search for your missing child. Draw strength and resolve from clergy, family, friends and the support of your entire community. Turn to the media on advice of local authorities and council. Respect the experts and do whatever it takes to get your child back alive.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to follow through on the treat you promised your child while searching for him or her! Enjoy every bite together while embracing your child and talking softly about how important it is to not hide.
• Never feel foolish if you find your child hiding in the dirty laundry before the police arrive. Simply tell them the truth while clutching your child, and they'll rejoice with you that it was a happy ending.
• Attend community safety and anti-violence programs with your children, and teach your children to never trust a stranger.
• Check the sex offender registry in your area. Know who lives near and around you and never let your children out of your sight.