Today was National Missing Children’s Day. It is observed on May 25^th every year in order to create awareness about child safety and the unsolved missing child cases across the United States!

A moment of silence. . .

My prayers to anyone who has ever been affected in any way, shape or manner.

This is a subject that is not something that we can easily prepare ourselves for, because we truly never know who, when or how a loved child could go missing. When any child goes missing, the families and friends are devastated. The amount varies from state to state, and sometimes has to do with populations.

Image on Unsplash

🧑‍🦳The Good News:

The majority of missing children are eventually reunited with their families, whether they have simply wandered off or there was a miscommunication. Nearly all missing children, approximately 99.8 percent, are eventually reunited with their families. Out of the cases involving abduction, a minority of 9 percent are carried out by a family member, while the majority are not stranger abductions. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge that even if it occurs to just one child, it is still one child too many.

👱 Being Prepared:

Today’s commemoration acknowledges individuals who have surpassed expectations in safeguarding children, but it also presents a valuable occasion to provide resources for ensuring the safety of your children on a daily basis. It is crucial to:

• Ensure custody documents are in order
• Have recent photos of your children easily accessible
• Maintain a copy of their fingerprints
• Keep medical and dental records updated
• Supervise online activities
• Establish guidelines for your child’s social circle
• Stay informed about your child’s whereabouts
• Familiarize yourself with the parents of your child’s friends
• Conduct background checks on caregivers and verify references
• Avoid leaving young children unsupervised in strollers or car seats
• Avoid dressing children in clothing with their names displayed
• Teach your child their address and phone number at an early age
• Familiarize yourself with your child’s friends
• Organize events and gatherings in public places with your child’s friends and their parents present

👱 If & When:

In the unfortunate event that a child goes missing, it is crucial to take immediate action within the first 24 hours:

• Immediately report the disappearance of your child to a law enforcement agency without delay
• Ensure that the authorities include your child’s information in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Persons File
• Remember, there is no waiting period for children under 18 to be entered into the NCIC
• Request the authorities to issue a BOLO (Be On The Look Out) for your child
• If your child was abducted from your home, refrain from disturbing anything
• It is crucial to allow the authorities to collect evidence, so avoid moving, cleaning, or discarding any items that could hinder the investigation
• Obtain the name and phone number of the investigator assigned to your child’s case
• Keep this information easily accessible and nearby
• Provide the authorities with as much detailed information as possible about the circumstances surrounding your child’s disappearance, including their physical appearance and what they were wearing
• Compile a list of individuals who may have valuable information about your child’s whereabouts, such as friends, family, teachers, or anyone else who might have relevant knowledge
• Inform the authorities about any work that has been done at your home or any individuals who have been present over the past year
• Every detail can potentially assist in the investigation
• Make copies of the most recent photos of your child, both in color and black and white
• Ensure that these copies are distributed to law enforcement agencies, missing children organizations, media outlets, and social media platforms
• Contact 800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678) to seek assistance with distributing your child’s photos
• Collect contact information for nonprofit organizations that specialize in locating missing children
• These organizations may be able to provide valuable support and resources
• Collaborate with the authorities to organize a search party for your child, utilizing tracking vehicles, software, electronics, and trained dogs
• Maintain a detailed record of incoming and outgoing calls made from your home, including the time, caller’s identity, and duration of the calls
• Establish a support system to help you stay strong during this challenging time
• Lean on your family and friends as much as possible
• Remember to take care of yourself by eating well and getting enough rest
• It may be difficult, but self-care is crucial during this period.

👱 The Latest Information Available:

👱 Creation of National Missing Children’s Day:

In 1983, National Missing Children’s Day was declared by President Ronald Reagan to acknowledge the numerous children who went missing annually. Merely a few years earlier, on May 25, 1979, six-year-old Etan Patz vanished from his residence in New York City while on his way from the bus to school. This observance was established to commemorate the day Etan disappeared and to honor missing children worldwide. At the time of Etan’s disappearance, cases of missing children rarely received widespread attention from the national media. However, his case swiftly garnered significant coverage. Etan’s father, a professional photographer, distributed black-and-white photographs of his son in an effort to locate him. Consequently, a massive search operation, coupled with media attention, drew public focus to the issue of child abductions. It also shed light on the absence of comprehensive plans to combat child abductions.

Photo by Amber Weir on Unsplash

National Missing Children’s Day