Missing Children: Where Do They All Go and What Should You Do?

I was browsing some of the profile pages on Myspace and came across a page concerning "Missing Children". Face after face of photos of children from all over the country, missing. I wonder how come so many children are missing, and what happened to all of them. That prompted me to do a little research on the subject.

According to The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, FAQ, 797, 500 children younger than the age of 18 were reported in just one years time, making that an average of 2,185 children missing in a single day. Some of these children, 203,900 were victims of family abductions by a parent, and those of non family abductions were 58,200. And 115 of these children are what the site called "stereotypical kidnappings" and the fate of the child was either being held overnight, transported over 50 miles, held for ransom, kept permanently, or murdered by a stranger or someone they slightly knew.

The site lists runaways as the most frequent among missing children, with family abductions next. The third is lost or injured missing, and the last is nonfamily abductions putting the child at a greater list. They advise us that family abductions should be taken seriously and offer suggestions on how to avoid a family abduction. There is much more information on the website that can be downloaded and read.

The site tells parents how to prepare yourself incase your child is missing, and that the first three hours after an abduction are the most important and crucial hours. Some of the important things you should have on hand are recent photos of your child. Be sure the child's dentist has records, and you also know where to obtain your child's medical records. It is also wise to have your child fingerprinted by local police officials. They say to keep DNA samples of your child, and suggest an old toothbrush sealed in a brown envelope, and stores in a dry location.

If your child is missing you should act immediately, the site reports. After searching your house and surroundings, and calling neighbors and family and friends, call the authorities at once. Limit access to your home until officials arrive there, and give them all the information they ask for. The site recommends that you call them at 1-800-THE-LOST^® (1-800-843-5678) to see what resources are available to you.

The NCMEC site also says you can donate your time or money to help find missing children, or children can be found by looking at pictures of missing children, such as those that are on milk cartons, or posters. I found a Myspace page that is trying to spread the word about missing children by putting the pictures on the page, with general information about the child.

http://www.myspace.com/americasmostwantedmyspace

Source:

Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/americasmostwantedmyspace

http://www.missingkids.com/