If Your Child Is Missing You Should Do The Following
The first two days after your child has disappeared are the most critical for finding and returning him/her safely. They are also the most painful and unsettling for parents. The following actions, if taken during those first 48 hours, can greatly increase the chances of finding your child. However, if more than two days have passed since the disappearance of your child, you should still follow these steps without delay or hesitation. All the items listed here are described below in the Guide. It will explain what you should do, why you should do it and in what order.
The First Two Days:
The First Day:
Promptly inform authorities that your child has disappeared. Include the date and time you first realized the child was missing. Insist on your child being entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Persons File. In case the missing person is a minor child, you should not delay getting the information entered.
Be sure that you have contact information for yourself, as to the law enforcement officer assigned to your case. Put this data in a safe and readily accessible place.
Until the policeman collects necessary evidence, limit the access of other people to your home. Do not dispose of or touch things which belonged to your child. Remember that personal items such as clothing, sheets, computers, cell phones and even garbage and waste paper may hold clues as to the location of your child.
Tell law enforcement officers how and when you first realized your child was missing. Do not fail to mention to them whatever efforts you have already made to locate your child.
Write down names of friends, classmates, relatives, teachers and any other people who have had contact and might provide information about your child’s recent activities and/or location. When possible give phone numbers (including cell phones) and addresses of people who might be helpful. Inform law enforcement about people who are new in your neighborhood, and especially anyone who appeared to show special interest in your child. Include any whose attitude toward you or your child seemed to change in recent weeks or months.
Describe in detail the clothing your child was wearing when they disappeared, and any personal things you believe they were carrying. Include in your information any identifying features such as ink-spots, scars, tattoos, moles or birthmarks. Especially helpful would be any photo which shows such marks. If a photo is not available, draw a picture, including the mark, and give it to law enforcement officers.
Collect the most recent photos of your child, both black and white and color photos. Make several copies and deliver to your case worker at law enforcement, to the media, your State Missing Children’s Clearinghouse, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and other non-commercial organizations which might help. Then, get in touch with them to find out what support they can lend in the search.
The next service — NCMEC — at (800-843-5678) can render assistance with photo distribution. Also, they can provide telephone numbers of other non-commercial groups which might be helpful.
Authorities might determine that a search of your neighborhood using specially trained dogs might be desirable.
In some cases the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) might lend assistance. Urge authorities to put out a “Be on the Look-Out” (BOLO) bulletin.
Choose someone to regularly be the phone-answerer at your home. Keep a tablet or sheets of paper near the phone so this person can write down dates, times of phone calls, names, telephone numbers, places and other relevant information from each call.
Also, always carry a small notebook, blank cards or paper with you when you are out. This will make it possible to jot down ideas, questions, and to record any new information which comes your way — names, dates and phone numbers.
Law enforcement officers can help when it is appropriate to contact the media.
Look after yourself and the other members of your family during this stressful time. Your child would want you to be courageous and strong. Though it may be difficult, make yourself get rest, eat hot food and also talk with someone about your painful feelings.
The Second Day:
Discuss with your law enforcement investigator or case worker the steps which are being taken to locate your child. If your investigator does not have a copy of “Missing and Abducted Children: A Law Enforcement Guide to Case Investigation and Program Management,” suggest that he or she call NCMEC at 800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678) to obtain one. Also, your law enforcement investigator can contact the Crimes Against Children Coordinator in the local FBI Field Office to obtain a copy of the FBI’s Child Abduction Response Plan.
Expand your list of friends, acquaintances, extended family members, yard workers, delivery people — anyone who may have seen your child shortly before, during or following the possible abduction.
Look at personal calendars, community event calendars and newspapers to see if these might provide clues as to who was in the area and who might have been either a witness or the possible abductor. Give such information to law enforcement.
Expect that you may be asked to take a polygraph test. This is pretty standard procedure.
Ask your law enforcement agency to request that NCMEC issue a broadcast fax to law enforcement agencies around the country.
Work with your law enforcement agency to schedule possible press releases and media events. If necessary, ask someone close to you to serve as your media spokesperson.
Talk to your law enforcement agency about the topic of a possible reward.
Report any extortion attempt to law enforcement.
Have a second telephone line installed with call forwarding. Get caller ID and call waiting. Ask law enforcement to install a trap-and-trace device on your phone. Get a cellular phone or pager so you can be reached when you are away from home.
Take thoughtful care of yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask others to help with some of your physical and emotional needs, and those of your family.
Make a list of things which friends and volunteers could do for you and your family.
Call your child’s doctor and dentist, requesting copies of relevant medical records and dental x-rays. Offer these to law enforcement.
Consider the possibility that your child might have voluntarily left home. Are there any clues as to that?
Finally, keep alert. And try to remain hopeful.
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