Beaumont

Abducted Children

Posted on 11/10/08, 06:51 pm

The following information relates to abducted (kidnapped) children; however, it is recommended reading for everyone because the information can be useful in handling cases of missing adults.

• Reply #1 11/10/08  6:59pm
  
  Beaumont
  National Center For Missing And Exploited Children
  
  A national study by the United States Department of Justice confirmed that in 1988 there were 354,000 children abducted by family members, 4600 children abducted by nonfamily members, 114,600 attempted child abductions by nonfamily members, and 450,700 children who ran away from home. Although the study is over twenty years old, it does demonstrate the severity of the problem of missing children. More recent analysis shows even greater numbers.
• Reply #2 11/10/08  7:22pm
  
  Beaumont
  The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a private, nonprofit organization established by congressional mandate, and it works in cooporation with the United States Department of Justice. NCMEC serves as a clearinghouse of information on missing and exploited children, offers advice and assistance to law enforcement agencies and parents or guardians in the search for a missing child, makes arrangements to display pictures of missing children nationwide, and offers the use of a toll-free number, 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) to report information that could lead to the recovery of a missing child. They can be found on the web at www.ncmec.org
• Reply #3 11/10/08  7:26pm
  
  Beaumont
  Through its nationwide hotline number, NCMEC has taken more than 1,000,000 calls, including over 100,000 calls reporting 'sightings' of missing children. It distributes photographs of missing children through its extensive network of 20 federal agencies and more than 2,000 private sector companies. To date, about 1 in 7 children featured in the campaigns has been found.
• Reply #4 11/10/08  7:32pm
  
  Beaumont
  NCMEC distributes a number of free publications, some for professionals who work on missing children cases, some for parents, and some for children. Among the publications are 'Child Protection,' 'My 8 Rules for Safety' (for children), and 'Family Abduction.' For a list of NCMEC publications, write to: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 500, Arlington, Virginia 22202-3052. Information is also available on the website.
• Reply #5 11/10/08  7:49pm
  
  Beaumont
  NCMEC states that there are some actions parents should take to prepare for the remote possibility that their child may someday become lost or missing. These steps are as follows:
• Reply #6 11/10/08  7:52pm
  
  Beaumont
  1. Keep a complete description of the child. This description must include color of hair, color of eyes, height, and date of birth. In addition, the description should contain their identifiers: eyeglasses or contact lenses, braces on teeth, pierced ears, and other unique physical attributes. The complete description must be written down.
• Reply #7 11/10/08  7:56pm
  
  Beaumont
  2. Take color photographs of your child every six months. Photographs should be of high quality and in sharp focus so that the child is easily recognizable. Head-and-shoulder portraits from different angles, such as those taken by school photographers, are preferable.
• Reply #8 11/10/08  8:00pm
  
  Beaumont
  3. Have your dentist prepare dental charts for your child, and be sure that they are updated each time an examination or dental work is performed. Make sure that your dentist maintains accurate, up-to-date dental charts and X-rays on your child as a routine part of his or her normal office procedure. If you move, you should get a copy from your former dentist to keep for yourself until a new dentist is found.
• Reply #9 11/10/08  8:03pm
  
  Beaumont
  4. Know where your child's medical records are located. Medical records, particularly X-rays, can be invaluable in helping to identify a recovered child. It is important to have all permanent scars, birthmarks, blemishes, and (healed) broken bones recorded. You should find out from your child's doctor where such records are located and how you can obtain them if the need arises.
• Reply #10 11/12/08  10:53pm
  
  mskitcat
  You can also get free fingerprinting charts. I will have to look on the ones I got for my grandbabies because I forgot who puts them out.

I remember you. Are you still out there somewhere? You are my sister, brother, mother, father, daughter, son, or other relative. We were separated by circumstances such as abduction, adoption, abusive in the home, family split-up, migration, natural disaster, misunderstanding, homelessness, personal tragedy, relocation, runaway, unexplained disappearance, war, or other circumstances. Do you remember me? All are welcome to join our group.