Checklist for a Runaway Child

• Check the immediate area to make sure your child isn’t lost or hiding.

• Contact the local, county, or state law enforcement agency to make a missing child report (you do not have to contact all three if one opens an investigation).

• Ask the law enforcement agency to open a missing person investigation.

• Obtain a case number or copy of the report, if possible.

• Ask for the detective or investigators name and extension number or direct line.

• Ask the police department to enter the missing child’s information into the National Crime Information Center’s (NCIC) database and obtain the NIC number, if possible (starts with “M” followed by nine numeric digits, M-123456789).

• Provide as much information as possible on the child’s behavior and whereabouts prior to the disappearance. It is important to be honest with your investigator:

• Did the child take any personal belongings like money, wallet, or purse?

• Check for a letter or note that may have been left.

• Have there been suicide attempts or substance abuse?

• Did the child say they would be going somewhere specific?

• Has the child been chatting online or making long distance phone calls?

• Notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.

• Notify your state clearinghouse.

• Notify the Nation’s Missing Children Organization at 1-800-690-3463 and other non-profit organizations belonging to the Association for Missing and Exploited Children’s Organizations (A.M.E.C.O.)

• Contact relatives to let them know your child is missing.

• Contact the parents of your child’s friends to make them aware of the situation and find out if any of their children are missing as well, they could be together.

• Contact neighbors to let them know your child is missing.

• Notify the school that your child is missing.

• Circulate missing person posters of the missing adult except in locations prohibited by city codes.  Ask businesses, malls, convenient stores, and other high traffic areas to post flyers.

• Ask for additional referrals or support group information to find out if what worked for other families may work for you.

• Find out your state’s laws on victim’s rights because you may be entitled to certain privileges as a parent.

• Notify the law enforcement agency of any tips, leads, or if the missing person is located.

• Notify the clearinghouses and non-profit organizations of any updates or if the missing person is located.

• Find out your state’s laws on victim’s rights because you may be entitled to certain privileges as a parent.

• Ask for reunification and prevention resources so that your child will be less likely to runaway again and will be safe in the future.

         Checking in with the Investigator Periodically

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions but remember the investigator can’t always release all the information because they don’t want jeopardize the case and make it less likely to find your missing loved one.
• Ask how you can help (posting law enforcement approved flyers, contacting other organizations, etc.).
• Ask if the investigators need DNA, fingerprints, or dental records.
• Verify that the missing person is still entered in NCIC.
• Update the law enforcement agency and missing person organizations with your contact information (like mailing address, e-mail, and home, work, or cell phone numbers) if you move or have them changed.

        General Tips

• E-mail is helpful to relay information to many people at once with updates.
• Don’t be afraid to ask a trusted family member or friend to help relay the information to other organizations.
• Never use your own contact information like phone numbers or address on a missing person poster because it will put you in a vulnerable position.
• Keeping notes of your important conversations is helpful to refresh your memory.

Plus: Click here to download a Microsoft Word document with additional information!