When your child is missing, your mind races through so many questions – what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. It is overwhelming. We understand. We have been there. We designed this publication to help you take each necessary step, contact the right people, and know how to move forward.
Chapters 1 through 5 contain checklists with critical information to help you navigate uncharted territory and work with law enforcement, the media, search and rescue professionals, and the countless volunteers and individuals you may encounter. It also suggests ways to maintain your financial, physical, and emotional well-being.
Chapter 6 gives you a framework for understanding the different types of missing persons cases and related terminology. This includes terms such as endangered missing, international parental abduction, trafficking, and nonfamily abduction, among others. Use this chapter as a reference, knowing you can always come back to it while using the Guide.
Chapter 7 provides a list of resources you can discuss with your law enforcement team. Use them to reach out for help whenever needed. If ever you have questions, or need information or support, ask your law enforcement investigator to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678), and enlist the expertise provided in the chapter.
Finally, you can learn more about each contributing family member in the “About the Parents and Their Children” section that concludes this Guide.