Reporting a Missing Person

Many television shows and movies have shown over the years that people have 24 or 48 hours to report missing people, but that waiting period doesn’t exist in real police offices.

“That’s a fallacy, and I do not know where it started. I guess TV or the movies,” said Assistant Police Chief Dennis Archer. “But, as soon as you know someone is missing, report it to law enforcement.”

Anyone can be a missing person; it’s not just limited to children. Adults can be reported as missing, too. If a loved one can’t be located and may need medical, legal, or other help, it’s time to file a missing persons report.

ARCHER

“Accidents and miscommunication between people happen,” said Archer, who said it is important to check first and see if the person is with family or friends or where the person was last known to be because that will help officers. “Make sure you have the right information, like an accurate description, what they were wearing, identifying marks, physical description, and who they were last known to be with. It will all help.”

Archer explains all this information is necessary to fill out the missing person report by the officer that will also determine which category of alert, Amber or Sliver.

MISSING ALERTS

AMBER ALERTS are for children under 18 believed abducted and in danger of serious bodily harm or death.

SILVER ALERTS are for adults age 18 and above with a mental or medical impairment validated through a credible medical authority (Physician, Physician’s Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner.)

RUNAWAYS

There is no specific alert for runaways - someone under age 18 who leaves home without permission, but they can be reported to authorities. Adults who potentially encourage or hide runaways could face criminal charges. Parents are legally responsible for caring for their minor children, even when the child is not living at home.

Runaways fleeing an abusive situation and do not want to return home should tell police about the abuse immediately. Police must report child abuse to a county child welfare agency for further investigation; an emergency shelter might be available.

NOTE: The National Runaway Safeline (NRS) is the communication system for runaway and homeless youth. NRS provides free, confidential advice and referrals to local services for runaways and their parents and guardians in all 50 states. Call 1-800-RUNAWAY for immediate family assistance.

“It is termed a ‘status offense,’” Archer explains runaways. “A status offense is an act that violates law only because of a youth’s status as a minor.”

Consequences for numerous status offenses potentially include counseling and education, but also legal ramifications, including detainment, driver’s license suspensions, fines and restitution, and placement with someone other than a parent or guardian. Law enforcement will enter the runaway’s name and physical description into the National Crime Information Computer (NCIC).

The Indiana State Police provides a Missing Person Bulletin, a 28-page alphabetical list of missing person cases reported as early as the 1970s through now; the reporting agency, and with more than 200 active cases. https://www.in.gov/isp/mcmea/missing-person-bulletin/

THE COLD,

HARD TRUTH

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons (NamUS) database estimates 600,000 individuals go missing in the United States every year. While approximately 74% are found alive, the individuals who remain missing for long periods of time have a higher chance of a tragic ending.

That is why parental vigilance in protecting their children, family members, and loved ones is important.