YOU
ARE NOT ALONE!
If your child is missing
there are people ready to help, but you must follow these steps first:
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These Steps . . |
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1. CALL THE POLICE
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Dial
911. If it is
not available, look in the white pages under
the town's name for the police or under
the county's name for the sheriff. |
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Concentrate
on remaining calm; it is the best way to help your
child. |
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When
someone answers, give your full name, exact location,
and
say, "I want to report a missing child." |
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Ask
that an officer be sent immediately.
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2. Search, But Do
Not Touch
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Clues
may be in your home; do not clean it or move
anything. Even trash may offer clues to a trained
professional. |
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Do
not disturb anything in the child's room or allow
anyone to enter it. It has your child's fingerprints
and the police need them. |
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Look under
beds, in closets, garden sheds, well houses, culverts,
any container with a lid or door that may close
behind your child, i.e. storm cellars, large storage
boxes. Search at the neighbor's homes. |
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Call
your child's friends to find out the last time
they saw or talked with your child.
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3. Be Ready For The Police
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Write
down your child's full birth name, nickname, age,
parents' names, address and telephone number. If
divorced, give the information about both parents. |
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List
the names, addresses and telephone numbers of your
child's close friends. |
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Provide
a recent photograph of your child, but not a glamour
shot. |
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If
someone saw your child abducted, have the witness
ready to speak with the police.
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4. Be Specific
When Talking With The Police
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Give
the time of day and location that your child was
last seen. Use landmarks, street names, buildings
or business signs to ensure the officer understands
the location. |
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Describe
your search in specific words such as "in
bedroom and hall closets," "under four
beds," etc. If there is time, list the places
you searched on paper and hand to police. |
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If your
child was abducted by vehicle, give the vehicle
color and body style such as van, sports utility,
2-door, 4-door. If you don't know the make and
model, look around for one similar.
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5. Be Specific
Describing Your Child
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If
you have a child I.D. kit, retrieve that information.
If not, give height, weight, body build, color
and length of hair, color of eyes, birthmarks and
disabilities.
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Note
special markings: scars, braces, eyeglasses, pierced
ears, etc.
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Describe
clothing in which the child was last seen. For
each item give colors, brand names, rips, and patterns.
Include accessories: barrettes, ribbons, earrings,
cell phones, beepers, purses, toys, etc. Closing
your eyes often helps to visualize your child.
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Provide
any medication names the child takes, when it was
last taken and when it is next due.
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Help
the police really know your child as you do. The
police receive many false alarms, so have someone
- your pastor, child's school teacher or principal,
or a person in the community with name recognition
who knows your child - call and attest to your
child's integrity.
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6. What To Expect
From The Police
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They
will ask tough questions: Has there been a bad
divorce? Has your child run away before? Has family
violence been reported? What about drugs? Answer
honestly for your child's safety. Do not be offended.
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The
police will search your child's room. They may
take some of your child's possessions - hairbrush,
toothbrush, shoes, worn garments - for fingerprinting
and DNA. They may secure scent articles in paper
bags such as underwear and shoes for search dogs.
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If your
child used a computer, it may be searched for clues.
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Before gathering
objects, you may be asked to scrutinize the room
for anything missing: toothbrush, favorite shoes,
diary. Look carefully.
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The investigating
officer will ask for your child's records: school,
medical, dental, divorce decree, and custody orders.
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Other resources
may be used: search dogs, helicopters with heat
sensing devices, neighborhood watch groups, search
organizations, etc.
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7. Ask Police For
Their Plan Of Action
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The
officer should show you his/her badge and provide
you with the best way to contact him. Ask also
for e-mail addresses and contact them as often
as you need with questions and ideas.
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Request
that the police update you frequently. Ask For
Help And Support Nothing is worse than losing a
child. Stay calm but allow others to help.
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If you
need a counselor, ask for the police victim assistance
team.
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Have someone
answer the phone and stay with you when talking
to the police.
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Have someone
call your pastor or priest, and other family members
for support.
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If needed,
see your family doctor for medication to sleep
and be calm. Avoid alcohol and other than prescription
drugs.
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If the press
calls for information, ask a friend to intercede
in your behalf. Limit statements to pictures of
your child and facts about the situation only.
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REMEMBER:
Your are not alone!
If you think your child has been abducted,
call: 911!
Refer to "Find My Child" for additional assistance.
If the situation continues, call:713.599.0235 for
more information
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Other
Resources
Volunteer Search and Rescue Organizations
can provide
search dogs, ground searchers, air search support,
etc.
Missing Children’s Organizations can provide
flyers and volunteers
Victims of Crime Assistance funding can pay for counseling
for victims and families and funeral costs
TxDPS Missing Person’s Clearinghouse: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/mpch/
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For
more information:
Contact
Beth Alberts at 713.599.0235
or click here to Contact Us
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