What To Do If Your Child Goes Missing

A missing child is every parent's worst nightmare. The most important thing to remember is do not wait. If you cannot locate your child, take immediate action.

Step 1: Search Quickly

If your child is missing from home, conduct a rapid search of the areas where children commonly hide, including:

• Closets and cabinets

• Under beds and inside bedding

• Piles of laundry

• Bathrooms and storage areas

• Inside large appliances (such as washers or dryers)

• Inside and underneath vehicles, including trunks

• Any place where a child could crawl or hide

Step 2: Call 911 Immediately

If your child is not found within a few minutes, call 911 immediately. Do not delay reporting a missing child. There is no waiting period to report a child missing.

If your child disappears from a store, park, or other public location:

• Notify store management or security immediately.

• Ask if they have a Code Adam or similar missing child protocol.

• Call 911 without delay.

Step 3: Be Prepared to Provide Information

When speaking with law enforcement, provide as much information as possible, including:

• Child's full name

• Date of birth

• Height and weight

• Hair and eye color

• Recent photograph

• Clothing and shoes they were wearing

• Any medical conditions or special needs

• Distinguishing features such as glasses, braces, scars, birthmarks, or tattoos

• The last known location and time your child was seen

Step 4: Request Immediate NCIC Entry

Ask the responding law enforcement agency to enter your child's information into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Person File as soon as possible. This nationwide database allows law enforcement agencies across the country to access and share information quickly.

Step 5: Contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

After reporting your child missing to law enforcement, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) for additional assistance.

24-Hour Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)

NCMEC works alongside law enforcement and families by providing case support, resources, age-progressed images when appropriate, and nationwide coordination.

Every Minute Matters

The first hours after a child goes missing are critical. Reporting a child missing immediately gives law enforcement and search teams the best opportunity to safely locate and reunite your child.

If Manatee County Search & Rescue is requested by the appropriate law enforcement agency, our highly trained volunteer search professionals stand ready to assist in locating missing children and vulnerable individuals throughout our community.