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HOW TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFER WHILE SHOPPING
AND TRAVELING DURING
THE HOLIDAYS
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) wants to remind parents
not to let their guard down or be distracted while traveling or attending public celebrations during this 2007 holiday season.
NCMEC today issued child safety tips for parents to keep children safer while shopping and traveling.
Parents need to talk with children about safety before heading out to a busy shopping mall or boarding a plane,
train, or bus this holiday season. Crowds are greater this time of year and children may easily become separated from their
parents, causing confusion and fear. If it happens, parents need a plan and children should know what to do.
“Unfortunately many adults and children don’t know what to do if they lose each other in a
public place or are faced with other unsafe situations,” said NCMEC President and CEO Ernie Allen. “That’s
why the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is offering advice on how to remain safe and avoid panic and
potential dangers.”
Allen said that NCMEC urges parents to do the following:
ALWAYS:
- Require children to stay with you at all times while shopping.
- Accompany and supervise children in public facilities, including restrooms.
- Have a plan in place in case you become separated, including a pre-designated spot to meet.
- Teach children to look for people who can help, such as a uniformed security officer, salesperson or mother with children.
- Remind children to remain in the area where they become separated.
- Turn shopping trips into opportunities to practice safe shopping skills.
NEVER:
- Dress children in clothing that displays their first or last names, prompting unwelcome attention from people looking
for an opportunity to start a conversation with your child.
- Leave children in toy stores or public facilities expecting supervision from store personnel.
- Go shopping or attend a public event with a child if you feel you’re going to be distracted. Make other arrangements
for child care ahead of time.
- Allow younger children to shop on their own to purchase surprise gifts for friends or family members.
- Drop off older children at a mall or public place without agreeing on a clear plan for picking them up, including: where,
what time, and what to do in case of a change in plans.
If your child is flying or riding a train or bus alone this holiday season, NCMEC urges parents to remember the following
travel safety tips:
- When you make reservations for your child, specify that the child will be traveling alone.
- Whenever possible, book a direct flight or route. If flying, avoid booking the last flight of the day.
- Plan to visit the airport, train or bus terminal prior to departure. Let your child know what to expect, so the experience
will not be so intimidating.
- Remain at the station or gate until the train, plane or bus departs, in case there is a delay or cancellation.
- Make sure children travel with proper identification and contact information for parents or guardians.
- Always have a back-up plan for the person or people meeting the plane at the destination, in case they are delayed.
- Encourage children not to become too friendly with other passengers or to reveal any personal information.
Non-Custodial Parents Abduct 11-Month-Old
A detective with the Trinidad Police Department in Trinidad, Colo. contacted NCMEC’s
Call Center on July 23, 2007 to report the abduction of an 11-month-old girl. Law enforcement informed NCMEC that the child
was taken from her custodial grandparents’ house by her non-custodial mother and father. They believed the abductors
might be traveling to New
Mexico or Texas.
After the grandparents supplied proof of custody and photographs, a poster was created featuring the child and abductors.
The poster was put on NCMEC’s Web site at www.missingkids.com and distributed to the areas where law enforcement believed they may travel.
NCMEC continued to
work with law enforcement over the next few months to distribute posters, run public database searches on the abductors, and
disseminate information received about the case through its Call Center. A breakthrough in the case came on October 7, 2007.
The abductors briefly left the child with an acquaintance in Texas, who had always been suspicious of the family. While the child was with him,
he went to NCMEC’s Web site and found the child’s poster. He then and contacted law enforcement.
Law enforcement
in Texas safely
recovered the child from the acquaintance’s residence and arrangements were made to return the child to her custodial
grandparents.
Young Girl Returned to Her Home in Belize After Abduction to the United States
NCMEC
received a call from a mother in Belize on February 9, 2007, requesting assistance to recover her 4-year-old daughter. The child had been abducted
by her father during a scheduled visit. Suspecting that her husband had taken the child to the U.S., the mother sought help
from the U.S. Embassy in Belize,
which advised her to contact NCMEC.
Upon receiving the call, a case manager with NCMEC’s International Missing
Children’s Division immediately began working with the mother to prepare an application for the return of the child
under the Hague Convention. NCMEC also sought assistance from the U.S. Secret Service, which confirmed that the child and
abducting-father had entered the U.S. through Miami, Fla.
After learning that the father and child had entered the U.S. through Florida, NCMEC forwarded
the case to the Florida
Missing Children’s Clearinghouse. Several checks were run, but all searches for the child and abducting-father were
negative. The Clearinghouse continued to run searches for the child for several months and in July 2007, a possible address
was found for the abductor in Arizona.
NCMEC forwarded this address to its liaison with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, who confirmed that the child and abducting-father
were residing in Arizona.
As soon as the address in Arizona was confirmed, NCMEC located a pro bono attorney who agreed to assist the mother with her case and
also paid for the mother’s travel and lodging expenses when she came to the U.S. for the court hearing. The mother's
attorney obtained a pick-up order from federal court in September 2007, and the child was picked up by the U.S. Marshals and
reunited her with her mother. Upon seeing her mother, the child ran to her and yelled, "Mommy, I love you so much. I missed
you!" Following the court hearing, the judge ordered the child returned to Belize with her mother.
Child Contacts Family After Seeing Her Poster at Wal-Mart
NCMEC’s Call Center received a report on April
24, 2007 from a detective with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office in Woodstock, Ill. about a missing 15-year-old girl. The detective believed the
child left home with a 22-year-old male. The detective also believed that they might have traveled out of state.
A
case manager in NCMEC’s National Missing Children’s Division reached out to the child’s family for more
information and to obtain a photograph of the child. The photograph was used to create a poster, which was put on NCMEC’s
Web site at www.missingkids.com and distributed to targeted areas through its national photo partners, including Wal-Mart stores.
Nearly
6 months later, the child’s sister received a call from the child asking to come home. The child told her sister that
she had seen the NCMEC poster at Wal-Mart and “everywhere” she went and became frightened. The child was recovered in good condition.
CHECK 'N GO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP TO HELP FIND MISSING KIDS
Lender to display missing kids photos in stores through partnership with National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children
Cincinnati, OH – September 6, 2007 – Though many are recovered
quickly, in any year almost 800,000 children are reported missing in the United States. Check ‘n Go, a leading
national provider of consumer financial services, today announced the launch of a partnership with the National Center for
Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) to combat this issue. Check ‘n Go will feature color photos of
missing children in each of its approximately 1,350 stores across the country beginning today.
The Check ‘n Go partnership is unique because photos will be distributed in 13 geographical zones allowing
for more targeted distribution. Each month, Check ‘n Go stores located in each zone will feature four different
children who are suspected to be in the geographical area and whose photos are pulled from NCMEC’s database of missing
children. Cumulatively, Check ‘n Go stores will feature more than 600 photos of missing children each year.
“Photos are the most powerful tool we have in the search for a missing child,” said NCMEC President and CEO
Ernie Allen. “In fact, one in six children featured in our photo distribution program is recovered as a direct result
of someone recognizing them from the photo and calling law enforcement. Therefore, we are so pleased Check ‘n Go has
committed to help find missing children by displaying their photos and encouraging people across the country to join the search
by looking at the faces of missing children from their area.”
The partnership was announced today at a Child ID event hosted at a Miami, Fla., Check ‘n Go location.
“We are very excited to begin this partnership with NCMEC and are hopeful our participation as a Photo
Partner will help reunite families with their missing children,” said Check ‘n Go president/CEO A. David Davis.
“We are putting the power of more than 1,350 stores behind our efforts to help NCMEC find missing children.”
“Getting the displays of the missing children in our stores is a top priority and meets one of NCMEC’s
greatest needs, but it’s not all that we will do with them,” Davis said. “The launch of the photo program
is a stepping stone for us. We are committed to doing even more as the partnership grows.”
During the Miami partnership announcement event, Special Agents of the US Secret Service / Dept. of Homeland
Security were on hand providing Child ID kits for children. Children’s fingerprints, photos and vital statistics were
recorded in the ID kits so parents and guardians have the information in one convenient location should their child become
lost or missing.
NCMEC provides services nationwide for victims, their families and the professionals who serve them. Since
its establishment in 1984 it has assisted law enforcement with more than 133,000 missing-child cases, resulting in the recovery
of more than 115,700 children. NCMEC began its Corporate Photo Partner program in 1985.
“Helping keep our children safer is such an important cause and we’re confident that Check ‘n
Go can have a real impact through our support,” said Davis. “As a parent, I’m greatly moved by the work
NCMEC does. Child safety is something that resonates with our employees, customers and the communities we service. We’re
excited to champion this wonderful cause.” About Check ‘n GoHeadquartered in Mason,
Ohio, Check ‘n Go is committed to providing services that preserve both the financial security and the dignity of our
customers. Check ‘n Go operates approximately 1,350 locations in more than 30 states. A founding member of the Community
Financial Services Association of America (CFSA), Check ‘n Go provides financial products to consumers in a responsible
manner. In fact, Check ‘n Go leaders helped create the CFSA Best Practices, which promotes responsible lending.
THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN, WAL-MART, AND ABBOTT HOST CHILD SAFETY EVENTS
Complimentary "Baby Days" events for parents and guardians include child ID kits and safety tips
Bentonville, Ark. – Sept 6, 2007 – Keeping kids healthy and safe is a primary
concern for parents and guardians, but having the right tips and tools for every stage of a child’s development can
help lessen this anxiety. To help, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Abbott have partnered with the National Center for Missing
& Exploited Children (NCMEC) to host “Baby Days,” complimentary events in select Wal-Mart stores nationwide,
where attendees will receive a child ID kit and NCMEC-developed safety tips that can help families begin building a lifetime
of safety and well-being with their child.
“It is never too early for families to focus on the personal safety of their children, and educating themselves about
the tips and strategies that can help keep them safer is an important step to take,” said Robbie Callaway, co-founder
of NCMEC, “That is why we are so grateful to Abbott and Wal-Mart for giving families access to these important resources
through the ‘Baby Days’ event.”
The “Baby Days” event will take place in select Wal-Mart stores on Saturday, September 8, 2007. Parents
and guardians are encouraged to visit their local store to pick up a child ID kit, which includes a DNA collection tool and
advice on how to properly take and store a DNA sample, as well as space to attach a recent picture of the child. Parents
and guardians can find a participating store in their area by visiting the “In Stores Now” section of www.walmart.com, where child ID kits without the DNA collection component are available for download.
“Abbott is dedicated to helping parents and guardians raise healthy children,” says Scott White, divisional
vice president and general manager of pediatric products, Abbott Nutrition. “We are proud to partner with Wal-Mart and
NCMEC to bring this important safety information to our consumers across the country.”
NCMEC encourages
parents and guardians to take a proactive role in the safety of their children and offers some helpful tips, including:
- Understand potential risks before placing birth announcement in the local newspaper or online
- Birth announcements should never include the family’s home address and should be limited to the parents surnames
- Have a recent color photograph of your child
- For infants, a full, front-face view is recommended along with footprints and a written description of the infant noting
hair, eye color, length, weight, date of birth, and any unique physical characteristics
- Consider having a DNA sample taken from your child
- Choose babysitters with care by obtaining references, checking in unexpectedly during a session and noting any changes
in your child’s mood or behavior
- As children mature and become verbal:
- Ensure they know their full name, address and phone number
- Teach them how and when to call 911
- Require that they ask permission before leaving home
To learn more about “Baby Days” visit the “In Stores Now” section of www.walmart.com. For additional safety information visit NCMEC at www.missingkids.com or call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
“Baby Days” is sponsored by Abbott and its Similac®
Advance®, Similac® Organic and PediaSure® NutriPals™ brands. Other event partners include:
JOHNSON'S® BEDTIME LOTION® , Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, Clorox® Anywhere®
Hard Surface™ daily sanitizing spray, Nestle® Good Start® Natural Cultures™, Grins &
Giggles® Sweet Pea lotion, Graduates® Lil Crunchies™ snacks, Pampers® Swaddlers™,
JOHNSON’S® SOFTLOTION® Melt Away Stress Body Lotion, Triaminic Infant & Toddler Thin
Strips® Decongestant Plus Cough, Crayola® Beginnings™ First Marks, and Crayola® Beginnings™
Crayon Buddies, Playtex® Drop Ins® System™, The First Years® Soothie® Pacifiers
& Bottles, and Disney®.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Every week, more than 127 million customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters,
Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is
proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year
gave more than $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
NCMEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
dedicated to helping protect children from abduction and sexual exploitation. NCMEC’s congressionally mandated CyberTipline,
a reporting mechanism for child sexual exploitation, has handled more than 500,000 leads. Since its establishment in 1984,
NCMEC has assisted law enforcement with more than 133,000 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than 115,700
children. For more information about NCMEC, call its toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit www.missingkids.com.
About Abbott
Abbott Nutrition develops and markets a wide range of science-based infant formulas,
medical nutritionals, nutrition and energy bars, and related products to support the growth, health and wellness of people
of all ages. Abbott Nutrition's internationally recognized brands include the Similac® brand of infant formulas;
the Gain® brand of growing-up milks for older babies and toddlers; the PediaSure® brand of nutritionals
and snacks for children; and the Ensure® brand of adult nutritionals.
Additionally, Abbott Nutrition is a leader in medical foods clinically shown to address the distinct dietary needs of people
with serious health conditions or special nutrient requirements, such as the Glucerna® brand of nutrition shakes
and bars for people with diabetes. Abbott Nutrition also offers specialized nutrition products to meet the unique needs of
competitive athletes.
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of
pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs 65,000 people and
markets its products in more than 130 countries.
Abbott’s news releases and other information are available on the company’s Web site at www.abbott.com.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN OFFERS ASSISTANCE IN SPANISH TO HELP KEEP KIDS
SAFER
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – To mark Hispanic Heritage Month, the National Center for Missing & Exploited
Children (NCMEC) reminds parents and guardians that it offers a broad range of child protection resources in Spanish, including
publications, safety tips, and assistance via telephone and the Internet. Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from Sept.
15 to Oct. 15. “Language barriers shouldn’t become barriers that stand in the way of the safety of children,”
said NCMEC President and CEO Ernie Allen. “It’s important for Spanish-speaking parents and guardians to know that
they can turn to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for help in Spanish to protect their children and
provide assistance if a child goes missing or is exploited.” NCMEC’s Spanish-language publications
cover a variety of child safety topics and include several of the most important series for parents -- the “Just in
Case” and the “Know the Rules” pamphlets. The “Just in Case” series helps to prepare parents
and children in case they find themselves in a difficult situation, such as dealing with family separation. The “Know
the Rules” publications are designed to help parents teach children how to be safer in specific situations, such as
walking to and from school or traveling unaccompanied. Publications and other resources are available in Spanish at
www.missingkids.com or by calling NCMEC’s toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST. Spanish-speaking operators are always available
to assist. The problem of missing and exploited children reaches into every corner of society. Of the nearly 800,000
children who are reported missing to law enforcement each year, one in five are Hispanic, according to the U.S. Justice Department 1.
The vast majority of these children are recovered quickly. However, the largest number of international child abductions reported
to NCMEC involve children taken from Mexico to the United States or from the United States to Mexico. In most cases, the child
is taken by a family member. NCMEC offers these general safety tips for children:
- Always check first with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult before going anywhere, accepting anything, or getting into
a car with anyone.
- Do not go out alone. Always take a friend with when going places or playing outside.
- Say no if someone tries to touch you, or treats you in a way that makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Get
out of the situation as quickly as possible.
- Tell a parent, guardian, or trusted adult if you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
- There will always be someone to help you, and you have the right to be safe.
DAVID EGNER APPOINTED NCMEC VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – National Center for Missing & Exploited Children President and CEO Ernie Allen
announced today that David Egner has joined NCMEC as vice president of communications.
Egner comes to NCMEC from the
RAND Corp., where he served as director of media relations for the nonprofit research organization since 2002.
Egner
spent 14 years as a journalist for the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle and for The Associated Press in Oklahoma City;
Pierre, S.D.; and Albany, N.Y. During the past 21 years he held public relations positions for the lieutenant governor of
New York, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp., the governor of New York, Pepsi-Cola Co., the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development, a crisis communications firm in Washington and RAND.
“Informing the public
is vital for us to succeed in our mission of protecting children from abduction and sexual exploitation,” Allen said.
“David is a senior communications professional who can help us shine a brighter spotlight on missing and exploited children
and make parents more aware of ways to keep their children safer from predators.”
Egner will oversee NCMEC’s
media relations, public relations, Web site and publications. He will carry out the same role for NCMEC’s sister organization,
the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children.
New Global Internet Channel Launched to Find Missing Children
The International Centre For Missing & Exploited Children Partners With YouTube And
The Find Madeline Campaign
The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), in partnership with
Google’s YouTube,
and The Find Madeleine Campaign today announced the creation of a new initiative that will provide worldwide exposure to information
and videos of missing children. A new YouTube Missing Children’s Channel has been created exclusively for posting videos
of missing children. The new channel can be found at www.youtube.com/DontYouForgetAboutMe. Read the Press Release
CyberTipline® Success Stories
July
2007
Arrest Ends Years of Molestation, Prevents Likely Future Victimization
On May 28, 2007,
the CyberTipline received a report from a concerned mother that her 13-year-old daughter had been sexually victimized by the mother’s
husband— the child’s stepfather. She reported that the suspect was no longer at the house but that she did not
know where to turn or what to do to help her daughter. To add urgency to the situation, the reporting person was also concerned
the suspect may be soliciting minors for sex acts from a popular social networking website.
An analyst with NCMEC’s
Exploited Child Division promptly contacted the reporting person to request more information. Though the mother was hesitant
to provide additional information, the analyst soon learned that the child disclosed the sexual molestation had been occurring
for several years— most recently one week prior to the date of the CyberTipline report. After the mother confronted
her husband with the allegations, he left.
The Exploited Child Division analyst documented all information provided,
conducted public records searches on the suspect, and performed Internet searches on the suspect’s e-mail address. Within
an hour of initially receiving the report, the analyst had made contact with an investigator with the Charles County Sheriff’s
Department in Maryland
and forwarded the CyberTipline report, including all of the information gathered.
Investigators made contact with
the reporting person and interviewed the child. The young girl disclosed the abuse to law enforcement and the suspect was
arrested on June 8, 2007 on three counts of sexual child abuse. He is currently being held on $150,000 bond and faces up to
100 years in prison, if convicted. Additional charges may follow, pending investigation of the suspect’s computer and
online activities.
Online Enticement Stopped Before Face-to-Face Meeting Could Occur
On April 10, 2007, the CyberTipline received a report of possible online enticement involving the reporting person’s 14-year-old niece and a 20-year-old
male. The reporting person stated that the suspect had been communicating with his niece through a popular social networking
site and through instant messages. The child’s uncle became concerned when the reported suspect began referring to the
child as his girlfriend and demanded she have no contact with other boys.
An analyst with NCMEC’s Exploited
Child Division quickly contacted the reporting person and secured chat logs of conversations between the suspect and the child,
which the uncle had saved. The analyst discovered that the suspect had been trying to set up a meeting with the child. In
the chat logs, the suspect asked the child, "Could I come over one day?" and told her if he could, "I will owe u forever and
always my love." He then pressed her to make plans to meet him within a few days. The analyst also learned that the suspect
was contacting at least four other female students from the victim’s school.
Based on the information provided,
the Exploited Child Division analyst conducted Internet searches on the reported suspect's e-mail address and found several
profiles that corroborated his location. She then contacted the Davidson County Sheriff's Department in North Carolina and provided them with a copy of
the CyberTipline report, chat logs, and profiles she located online. Investigators with the Sheriff's Department quickly identified
the reported suspect and arrested him on May 15, 2007 at his home. They confiscated his computer and 15 computer discs.
The
suspect was charged with 15 counts of third degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Originally, the suspect was released after
he posted a $5,000 bond. However, while examining the suspect's computer discs, forensic examiners found over 158 sexually
abusive images of children. The suspect was promptly re-arrested on additional charges of possession of child pornography
and is now being held on a $100,000 bond.
CyberTipline® Success Stories
June
2007
Internet Service Provider Tips Lead to Teacher's Arrest
Between December 29, 2006 and January
3, 2007, NCMEC’s CyberTipline received three reports from a registered Internet Service Provider (ISP) regarding an individual who was allegedly posting
sexually abusive images and movie files of children to an online group. In compliance with Federal law, the ISP provided the
reported suspect’s e-mail address and the files in question.
An analyst in NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit
(ECU) used this information to conduct online searches and find a possible location of the suspect in Athens, Georgia. The analyst forwarded the reports
to the Georgia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), an OJJDP-funded program out of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation
(GBI), for investigation.
Agents with GBI quickly identified the suspect as a middle-school teacher and father of a
4-year-old girl. They shared this information with the Athens Police Department. Detectives executed a search warrant at the
suspect’s house on February 12, 2007 and took him into custody. A preliminary review of his computer revealed additional
pornographic images and movies involving children. In total, they seized three computers, several hard drives, and computer
disks from the residence, and one computer from his place of employment.
To date, the suspect has been charged with
one count of sexual exploitation; however, additional charges are expected to be filed pending further investigation and forensic
examination of his computers. The suspect faces up to 20 years in prison for each image.
Middle School Teacher Arrested; 15 Year Old Protected from Further Harm
On April 4, 2007 and
April 10, 2007, the CyberTipline received two separate reports concerning a suspect in New York who was reportedly engaged in explicit sexual conversations with a child. The reports
indicated that the suspect— a middle school teacher and mother of two— was allegedly pretending to be a 16-year-old
girl when she encountered the 15-year-old boy on an online gaming site two years prior. According to the reports, their online
“relationship” escalated into a plan to meet and run away together.
Both reports contained an e-mail address
for the suspect, along with her name and address. Analysts with NCMEC’s Exploited Child Unit (ECU) were able
to verify information in the CyberTipline reports through a public records search. They also conducted extensive Internet
searches and located an online profile corroborating the allegation that the reported suspect was pretending to be a teenage
girl online.
NCMEC quickly forwarded this information to the New York Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a program funded by the
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. ICAC investigators immediately launched an investigation. They determined
that the reported suspect and child victim had been having graphic sexual chats online and over the phone for at least one
year.
On May 7, 2007, the suspect was arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The arrest occurred
before the suspect and child could carry out their plan to meet in person. The suspect has been suspended from her teaching
position and the investigation into other inappropriate activity continues.
Baby Abducted Across Borders; NCMEC's Website Leads to Recovery
In September 2005, NCMEC was notified that an 18-month-old
boy was abducted by his father from Ukraine to Florida. The father had recently lost custody of the child, which drove him
to flee the country with his son. While in Florida, the father was alerted that Florida law enforcement and the U.S. Marshals
were looking for him, so he fled again—this time taking the child from Florida to Honduras.
Alert Honduran neighbors
reported the father to local authorities after observing odd behavior. An investigation by Honduran authorities led to identifying
the little boy from a . Honduran authorities notified NCMEC of the boy’s location.
NCMEC's International Missing
Children's Division immediately contacted its FBI Liaison when it became clear that Honduran officials were unable to
authorize extradition of the father back to the U.S. Through the help of a federal prosecutor and judge, the FBI obtained
an International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act warrant for the father within a few hours. After the U.S. warrant was issued,
Honduran authorities agreed to the deportation.
NCMEC’s Family Advocacy Division worked with the U.S.
Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crimes to provide travel assistance to the child’s mother, who came
from Ukraine to Florida to be reunited with her son. NCMEC also coordinated with local social services and a FBI Victims Specialist
to ensure someone was waiting at the airport to help facilitate the separation of the child from his father and reunification
with his mother.
Over a year after he was taken, the boy was reunited with his mother. He celebrated his third birthday
with his mother just days after his recovery. His father pled guilty and received a two-year sentence for international abduction.
Phone Calls Provide Clues to 12-Year-Old's Location
In December 2005, a searching mother report her 12-year-old
daughter missing. The mother informed that it was possible the girl could be traveling with an adult male in a stolen vehicle.
NCMEC reached out to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to discuss the situation. NCMEC posters with the
missing child’s photograph were also created and distributed to targeted areas of Las Vegas and surrounding areas.
In
December 2006, the girl, a native Spanish-speaker, e-mailed NCMEC after seeing her . Although the e-mail address could not
be traced, a Spanish-speaking assistant case manager in NCMEC’s National Missing Children’s Division used
this opportunity to open the lines of communication with the child by providing her phone number and e-mail address. It worked!
The child called the assistant case manager a few days later from a blocked phone number and provided information about her
situation. The child denied being with the reported companion.
Several days after the initial contact, the child called
the case manager again but neglected to block the phone number. A search by NCMEC’s Case Analysis and Support Division
yielded a possible address in Indiana. This information was forwarded to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police also notified the Bloomington Police Department in Indiana, which was able to confirm the address
as that of the suspected companion.
PRESS RELEASE LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM 11 U.S. CITIES AND CANADA HONORED FOR PROTECTING CHILDREN WASHINGTON, DC – May
9, 2007 – Fifteen law enforcement officials from throughout the U.S. and Canada were honored by the National Center
for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) for their extraordinary efforts in recovering missing children and resolving
child sexual exploitation cases.
The awards were presented as part of the 12th Annual Congressional Breakfast and National Missing and Exploited Children’s
Awards hosted by NCMEC on Capitol Hill. Each year, the event is attended by various members of Congress, along with federal,
state and local officials. The National Fraternal Order of Police and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention each year partner with NCMEC to host the event in conjunction with National Missing Children’s
Day, which is observed on May 25.
Others attending the event included: actor Bryan Cranston, who most recently played "Hal" on the award-winning FOX television
sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle;" John Walsh, host of the FOX television show "America’s Most Wanted;" Revé
Walsh; U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (CA); U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX); U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (NH); U.S. Representative
Nick Lampson (TX); U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (KY); U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (IL); and U.S. Representative Steve
Chabot (OH).
"We set aside one day each year to honor and publicly recognize those law enforcement officials who displayed exemplary
efforts in locating missing children, protecting children from being sexually exploited and bringing those who perpetrate
crimes against the young to justice," said NCMEC President and CEO Ernie Allen. "We believe our greatest priority as a society
is to protect the innocence of our children. These men and women honored today share that goal and have made a difference."
2007 National Missing Children’s Award Recipients:
Detective Sergeant David Wurtz of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office in Pontiac, Michigan, and Deputy Jody D. Nidiffer
of the U.S. Marshals Service in Detroit, Michigan, were recognized by U.S. Representative Nick Lampson (TX) for their work
in the recovery of Genevieve Nielsen, who was abducted by her non-custodial father and reunited with her mother 30 years later.
Sheriff Gary F. Toelke of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Union, Missouri, and Special Agent Patrick D. Cunningham
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in St. Louis, Missouri, were honored by U.S. Representative Judy Biggert for the swift
recovery of Abigale Woods, a newborn who was violently abducted from her home by 36-year-old Shannon Torrez.
Detective C. Ricky Roll of the Metropolitan Police Department in Nashville, Tennessee; Supervisory Special Agent Luis A.
Vega-Montalvo of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC; and Lieutenant William M. Barry of the Hillsborough
County Sheriff’s Office in Goffstown, New Hampshire, were honored by Senator Judd Gregg (NH) for the safe recovery of
8-year-old Mariana Cisneros and 15-month-old Edgardo Espinosa, who were abducted and taken to Mexico by two fugitives responsible
for the murder of their 4-year-old brother.2007 National Exploited Children’s Award Recipients:
Detective Bryan Sirkel of the County Sheriff’s Department in Los Angeles, California, was honored by Senator Barbara
Boxer (CA) for his investigative skills and resourcefulness that led to the arrest of a dangerous child predator for possession
and production of child pornography, a brutal kidnapping, and the sexual assaults of at least four young children.
Special Agent Sean Lichner of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Northern Kentucky; Detective Tracy Watson
of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department in Burlington, Kentucky; and Senior Special Agent Monica Lamas of the U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Washington, DC,were honored by Senator Mitch McConnell (KY) for their extraordinary
efforts in the arrest of a sexual predator for child molestation and the production and distribution of child pornography.
Senior Special Agent Jose Nieves of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago, Illinois, and Detective Randy
Wickins of the Edmonton Police Service in Alberta, Canada, were honored by U.S. Representative Steve Chabot (OH) for their
remarkable collaboration and performance in carrying out "Project Wickerman." This multifaceted investigation led to the dismantling
of a worldwide child exploitation peer-to-peer organization and the rescue of 22 child victims, one of them less than 18-months-old.2007
NCMEC Law Enforcement Excellence Award Recipients:
Sheriff David Gutierrez and Captain Antonio Menchaca of the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office in Lubbock, Texas, were
honored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) for their perseverance, resourcefulness and diligence in recovering the remains
of Joanna Rogers, the 16-year-old victim of a brutal attack. Officers recovered her body in a Texas landfill.
Missing Children Success Stories
Online "Trail" Leads to Location of Teenage Runaway
On March 7, 2007, a concerned
father in Washington State called NCMEC’s hotline to report his 17-year-old daughter missing.
The father informed NCMEC that he believed she had run away to live with an adult male she met on the Internet. The child
had been reported to law enforcement and entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)1 as a Missing
Person Juvenile.
NCMEC gathered as much information as possible from the father and assigned the case to a case manager
in its Missing Children’s Division. The Exploited Child Unit (ECU) was also notified because the report indicated the
child was missing due to possible online enticement for sexual acts.
Initially, NCMEC had very little information on
the reported companion—that he resided in the Orlando, Florida area, was in his late twenties, and was possibly an attorney.
An ECU analyst immediately conducted online searches to gather additional information on the child and companion. The analyst
found a profile the child had created on a popular social networking website. On it, the child gave her location as “Florida
now,” confirming her father’s suspicions. In addition, the child had over 1,000 “friends” listed.
Upon
closer examination of this list, the analyst found a profile of an adult male appearing to match the companion’s description.
With this profile, the analyst was able to find a possible first name, place of employment, and location in Florida. She also
noted that the child had posted "so excited! 3 days!" as a comment on his page exactly three days before she left home.
With
a few additional online public searches, NCMEC’s ECU analyst was able to find a last name and home address for the suspected
companion. This information was quickly forwarded to the NCMEC case manager who reached out to the Apopka Police Department
in Apopka, Florida.
By the end of the day, the Apopka Police Department was able to
locate the girl at the companion’s residence. She was found to be safe and in good health, much to her family’s
relief. The family is looking into counseling options with the assistance of NCMEC’s Family Advocacy Division.
Mrach 2007
Four Children, Mother Abducted at Gunpoint; LOCATER™ Poster Leads to Their Rescue
On January
20, 2007 the Elkhart, Indiana Police Department contacted NCMEC to report that four children, ages 17 months to 9 years,
and their mother were abducted at gunpoint by the children’s father. The suspect held the children and their mother
captive in their home for several hours before forcing them into his vehicle. In addition, the suspect shot an adult male
who was at the residence before fleeing.
The suspect was tentatively identified and a description of the vehicle was
obtained. Law enforcement issued an AMBER Alert and NCMEC deployed two of its specially trained Team Adam
consultants to assist on-site. The Chicago Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were also involved in
the investigation.
NCMEC posters of the children were created and disseminated to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
and Ohio. LOCATER™, technology provided by NCMEC that equips law enforcement to create
and disseminate posters on their own, was also used to distribute 500 posters to targeted areas.
On January 23, 2007,
a pizza delivery man contacted police and reported to have delivered a pizza to the man featured on the LOCATER poster.
The delivery man led them to a motel room in Elkhart
where law enforcement found the mother and children. The suspect was captured while attempting to escape through an air duct
in the motel. He was arrested on one charge of attempted murder and kidnapping.
International Abduction to Germany
Thwarted
On January 23, 2007, the NCMEC Hotline received a call from the Apalachicola Police Department in Apalachicola, Florida reporting an abduction-in-progress
to Germany. The adoptive mother and legal guardian
of a 7-year-old girl reported to law enforcement that her child had been taken by the non-custodial, biological mother. The
abductor, who lives in Germany with her husband—a
member of the U.S. military—made arrangements to travel to Florida to visit the child. At the conclusion of the arranged
visit, the abductor failed to return the little girl to her legal guardian.
Upon receiving the report, a case manager
in NCMEC’s International Missing Children’s Division immediately began working to coordinate efforts
between the Apalachicola Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Crimes Against Children agent in
the local area. Concerned that the abductor would try to board a plane to Germany with the child, the case manager also reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection
in Atlanta, GA to run searches on flight records,
and he contacted the security officer of the airline on which the abductor flew to the United States. He also notified U.S. Immigrations
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the situation.
Law enforcement was able to get in contact with the abductor’s
husband at the military base in Germany. He revealed
that the abductor had relatives in Panama City, Florida.
With the husband’s cooperation, law enforcement was able to locate and arrest the abductor and recover the child at
the relative’s home. Less than 48 hours after the initial report was made, the little girl was returned home to her
adoptive mother.
Classmate Recognizes Photo at Sam's Club,
Leads to Recovery of Sisters Missing for 11 Years
On June 24, 1996, NCMEC received a call from a searching father
in Houston, Texas. He believed his two daughters,
ages two and four, had been abducted by their non-custodial mother and taken to Florida or Puerto Rico.
NCMEC posters were created with photos of the children and immediately distributed
to targeted areas throughout the country through NCMEC’s Photo Distribution program. In addition, Wal-Mart® Stores, Inc., another national photo partner, featured
the children on bulletin boards in their retail stores.
The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) was also involved in the investigation
as part of Operation Pickup, a cooperative effort between NCMEC and USMS.
On October 31, 2006, after 11 years
missing, a classmate of one of the children recognized the child’s photo on a poster at a Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club
in Ponce, Puerto Rico and told school administrators.
The school principal was able to confirm that the child on the poster was a student at his school and called NCMEC. NCMEC
contacted the U.S. Marshal assigned to the case.
The U.S. Marshal worked with the District Attorney’s Office
in Houston and Puerto Rican authorities to arrange the arrest and extradition of the abductor. The abductor was located and
arrested at her home in Puerto Rico. The children
have been reunited with their father.
Two Toddlers Returned From Mexico Thanks to Coordinated Efforts
On September 19, 2006, a concerned
mother called NCMEC to report her two daughters, ages one and three, missing from Elkhart, Indiana. The caller indicated that the children had been abducted three days prior by
their non-custodial father. She believed the abductor had fled to Mexico because he had family in Mexico City.
The case was transferred from local law enforcement in
Elkhart to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) in Indiana when it was confirmed by the U.S.
Embassy in Mexico that the abductor and children were in that country. NCMEC’s International Missing Children’s
Division worked with Mexican authorities and the FBI agent assigned to the case to take the appropriate actions for obtaining
an arrest warrant and arranging extradition of the abductor from Mexico. Within three weeks, an arrest warrant was issued
for the abductor.
On December 13, 2006, with the assistance of Mexican authorities, the abductor was lured and apprehended
just outside of Mexico City.
The abductor released information on the whereabouts of the children and they were picked up immediately. They have been reunited
with their mother in Indiana. The abductor is awaiting extradition to the U.S. where he will face criminal charges.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED
CHILDREN CREATES NEW UNIT TO HELP FIND 100,000 MISSING SEX OFFENDERS AND CALLS FOR STATES TO DO THEIR PART
Alexandria, VA - February 28, 2007
- According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), there are an estimated 603,000 registered sex
offenders in the U.S. today. However, of that number, at least 100,000 sex offenders are noncompliant and no one knows
where they are. A new Special Analysis Unit has been created by NCMEC to search databases, analyze information, and
help identify and locate these fugitives, to enable the U.S. Marshal's Service to arrest them and bring them to justice.
To date, the Marshals have located more than 850 of the fugitive sex offenders.
However, inconsistency in the way many states track sex offenders
or treat noncompliance has enabled serious sex offenders to manipulate the system and relocate to more lenient states.
Examples of the inadequacy of state laws include:
- There are 25 states where noncompliance with one or more registration
duties may be treated as only a misdemeanor: Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina,
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- In four states, when a sex offender moves from one state to another
state, the responsibility to notify the new state is placed solely on the offender himself: Delaware, District of Columbia,
Kansas, and Utah.
- In eight states, the law is ambiguous as to whether the state
or the sex offender must notify a new state when the offender moves: California, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota,
South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee.
- In only seven states, when a sex offender fails to register,
it is mandatory for parole to be revoked and the sex offender to be returned to prison: California, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa,
Michigan, North Dakota, and West Virginia.
In July of 2006, Congress passed the Adam Walsh Child Protection
and Safety Act, which included four important provisions: mandated the creation of a national sex offender registry
database and website; made the failure to register and be compliant a federal felony; mandated that states make changes in
their laws to create greater consistency and uniformity on a national level; and tasked the U.S. Marshals with tracking down
fugitive sex offenders.
However, states have three years to become fully compliant with
the new law. “States need to fully implement the new law immediately so we know where these sex offenders are,
and tougher penalties will make it less desirable for them to be noncompliant,” said Ernie Allen, President and CEO
of NCMEC. “We cannot allow known sex offenders to continue to take advantage of the inconsistency in reporting
and tracking in many states. States have the ability to prevent more predators from slipping through the cracks and
harming more children. They need to act today.”
“We know that two-thirds of sex offenders who are in state
prisons have admitted that their victims were children,” said Allen. “And we know that sex offenders who
harm children are most likely to be repeat offenders.”
An estimated 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys will be sexually victimized
in some way before they reach age 18, and only 1 in 3 will report it.
###
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
NCMEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works in cooperation with
the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. NCMEC's congressionally mandated CyberTipline,
a reporting mechanism for child sexual exploitation, has handled more than 441,900 leads. Since its establishment in 1984,
NCMEC has assisted law enforcement with more than 127,700 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than 110,200
children.
For purposes of our research, the District of Columbia is counted
as a state.
Press Release
THE AD COUNCIL PARTNERS WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
AND NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN TO HELP PREVENT ONLINE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
New PSA Campaign Educates Teenage Girls About Potential
Dangers of Sharing and Posting Personal Information Online
New York, NY, March 23, 2007
– The Ad Council together with The U.S. Department of Justice and National Center for Missing & Exploited Children®
(NCMEC) today announced a new phase of their Online Sexual Exploitation public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed
to educate teenage girls about the potential dangers of posting and sharing personal information online.
Popular social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and
Sconex make it easier for teens to post and share personal information, pictures and videos, which may make them more vulnerable
to online predators. Teenage girls are particularly at risk of online sexual exploitation—a recent study by University
of New Hampshire researchers for NCMEC found that of the approximately one in seven youth who received a sexual solicitation
or approach over the Internet, 70 percent were girls.
“The Internet is one of the greatest technological advances
of our time, but it also makes it alarmingly easy for sexual predators to find and contact children,” stated Attorney
General Gonzales. “As Attorney General and as a father, I am committed to protecting our children from pedophiles who
troll the Internet for kids. The Think Before You Post campaign sends a strong reminder to children and their parents to be cautious when posting personal information online
because anything you post, anyone can see: family, friends and even not-so-friendly people.”
Another study conducted by Cox Communications shows that 61 percent
of 13- to 17-year-olds have a personal profile on sites such as MySpace, Friendster, or Xanga. In addition, the study found
that half of these have posted pictures of themselves online and that one out of five teens reported that it is safe (i.e.
“somewhat” or “very safe”) to share personal information on a public blog or networking site. Thirty-seven
percent of 13- to 17-year-olds said they're “not very concerned” or “not at all concerned” about someone
using personal information they've posted online in ways they haven't approved.
“We are very pleased to join with the U.S. Department of
Justice and the Ad Council on the third year of our campaign entitled Think Before You Post,” said Ernie Allen, president and CEO of NCMEC. “This PSA campaign is targeted to reach teenage girls and
deliver the vital message of not posting identity-revealing information or photos of themselves online that could put them
at risk for abduction or exploitation.”
In another study conducted by the University of New Hampshire’s
Crimes Against Children Research Center for NCMEC, of youth ages 10 to 17 who use the Internet regularly, 34 percent had posted
their real names, telephone numbers or home address, and 45 percent had posted their real ages.
The PSA campaign, created pro bono by Merkley + Partners,
includes TV, radio, magazine and Web advertising. The ads encourage girls to “think before you post” personal
information that would leave them vulnerable to online predators. The PSAs seek to educate teens that the Internet is not
a “private” place, rather it’s a public place and social networking profiles and blogs potentially release
information that can be easily found by anyone, including ill-intentioned people. All of the PSAs direct audiences to www.cybertipline.com to get tips to help prevent online sexual exploitation or to report
an incident.
Previous work created for the campaign has focused on increasing
awareness of parents and guardians about the prevalence of online sexual exploitation and on preventing girls from forming
inappropriate online relationships with adult men in an effort to reduce their risk of sexual exploitation and abduction.
The new PSAs will be distributed to television and radio stations
nationwide this week and can be viewed on the Ad Council’s Web site at www.adcouncil.org.
“The popularity, easy accessibility and social acceptance
of the Internet, particularly social networking sites, among teenagers can put them in a dangerous situation,” said
Peggy Conlon, President and CEO of the Ad Council. “It’s our hope that this campaign will educate teenage girls
and their parents about the potential dangers of offering personal information on the Internet.”
“We are very pleased with our continuous partnership with
the Ad Council, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the U.S. Department of Justice,” said Andy
Hirsch, Executive Creative Director/Partner at Merkley + Partners. “Online sexual exploitation is front page news and
we're happy that we can continue to lend our services to help educate teens and their families about this potential danger.”
Since launching in 2004, the Online Sexual Exploitation campaign
has garnered over $150 million in donated media support and NCMEC has seen an increase in reports of online enticement of
children for sexual acts. Tracking studies conducted by the Ad Council found that parents and guardians who saw the PSAs were
significantly more likely than those who had not to have talked to their children within that past week about chatting online
with people who they hadn't met in person (44 percent vs. 35 percent).
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood
initiative is a joint effort of federal, state and local law enforcement, along with community leaders, designed to protect
children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state
and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as
identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention. NCMEC's congressionally mandated CyberTipline, a reporting mechanism for child sexual exploitation,
has handled more than 419,400 leads. Since its establishment in 1984, NCMEC has assisted law enforcement with more than 125,200
missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than 107,600 children. , call its toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST
NCMEC News
February 28, 2007
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED
CHILDREN CREATES NEW UNIT TO HELP FIND 100,000 MISSING SEX OFFENDERS AND CALLS FOR STATES TO DO THEIR PART
Alexandria, VA - February 28, 2007
- According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), there are an estimated 603,000 registered sex
offenders in the U.S. today. However, of that number, at least 100,000 sex offenders are noncompliant and no one knows
where they are. A new Special Analysis Unit has been created by NCMEC to search databases, analyze information, and
help identify and locate these fugitives, to enable the U.S. Marshal's Service to arrest them and bring them to justice.
To date, the Marshals have located more than 850 of the fugitive sex offenders.
However, inconsistency in the way many states track sex offenders
or treat noncompliance has enabled serious sex offenders to manipulate the system and relocate to more lenient states.
Examples of the inadequacy of state laws include:
- There are 25 states where noncompliance with one or more registration
duties may be treated as only a misdemeanor: Alaska, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina,
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
- In four states, when a sex offender moves from one state to another
state, the responsibility to notify the new state is placed solely on the offender himself: Delaware, District of Columbia,
Kansas, and Utah.
- In eight states, the law is ambiguous as to whether the state
or the sex offender must notify a new state when the offender moves: California, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota,
South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee.
- In only seven states, when a sex offender fails to register,
it is mandatory for parole to be revoked and the sex offender to be returned to prison: California, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa,
Michigan, North Dakota, and West Virginia.
In July of 2006, Congress passed the Adam Walsh Child Protection
and Safety Act, which included four important provisions: mandated the creation of a national sex offender registry
database and website; made the failure to register and be compliant a federal felony; mandated that states make changes in
their laws to create greater consistency and uniformity on a national level; and tasked the U.S. Marshals with tracking down
fugitive sex offenders.
However, states have three years to become fully compliant with
the new law. “States need to fully implement the new law immediately so we know where these sex offenders are,
and tougher penalties will make it less desirable for them to be noncompliant,” said Ernie Allen, President and CEO
of NCMEC. “We cannot allow known sex offenders to continue to take advantage of the inconsistency in reporting
and tracking in many states. States have the ability to prevent more predators from slipping through the cracks and
harming more children. They need to act today.”
“We know that two-thirds of sex offenders who are in state
prisons have admitted that their victims were children,” said Allen. “And we know that sex offenders who
harm children are most likely to be repeat offenders.”
An estimated 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys will be sexually victimized
in some way before they reach age 18, and only 1 in 3 will report it.
Missing Children Success Stories
February
2007
Intuition Prompts Good Samaritan to Action, Helps
Recover Missing Girl
On September 30, 2006, NCMEC received a report from the Denver Police Department about a
17-year-old girl who had been missing for almost a month.
After proper documentation was obtained, the teen’s
photo was distributed throughout Denver and the surrounding area through NCMEC’s Photo.Distribution program
In
December 2006, a California man became suspicious of a girl selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door in his neighborhood
because she looked underage and was working with two men. His intuition prompted him to search where he found the child’s
poster and contacted local law enforcement.
Law enforcement quickly responded and found the girl in a van with the
reported men. The supervisor of the group, which police learned was operating illegally, admitted to having picked up the
girl in Denver. He was arrested in connection with harboring the teen, who was shortly reunited with her family in Denver.
6-Year-Old Recovered Because of Tip to NCMEC
In July 2005, NCMEC received a call from the Watsonville
Police Department in California. A mother had reported that her 6-year-old son had been abducted by his non-custodial father
during a visit to his aunt’s house. A felony warrant was issued for the father.
All necessary documentation
was gathered from the mother and a NCMEC poster bearing the child’s photo — and a photo of the abductor —
was distributed to targeted areas of California
and nationally. The child was also featured on Univision television stations. Univision is a NCMEC photo partner that regularly
runs missing children’s pictures on their programs.
On January 1, 2007, due to the appearance of the child’s
photo on the Univision program Aqui y Ahora, NCMEC’s Call Center received a call from an individual who believed
he saw the child and abductor in a fast-food restaurant in California. In fact, the Call Center received a number of calls
reporting to have seen the child’s photo on that show. The lead was passed to the Delano Police Department, who responded and found the boy with his non-custodial father. The father
was arrested and arrangements were made for the mother and son to be reunited.
Child Reunited With Father in Germany
After 15-Month Search
On July 5, 2005, a father returned to his home in Germany to find his wife and 4-year-old daughter missing. After frantically calling friends and
family, he learned that his wife had abducted the child and fled to the United States. NCMEC’s International Missing
Child Division (IMCD) was contacted to assist with the case.
The father informed NCMEC that his wife had family
in Georgia. With assistance from several state missing children clearinghouses and numerous public records searches, NCMEC
was able to find a potential address for the abductor and child. The father's Hague petition was brought before the court
for an emergency pick-up order to prevent the mother from fleeing again. The pick-up order was executed with the help of the
U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). Despite their efforts, however, the mother managed to flee with the child again.
NCMEC
immediately resumed searches with assistance from its U.S. Postal Inspector liaison. The case manager also presented this
unresolved case at a NCMEC training course for U.S. Marshals as an example of how USMS can help in Hague cases. A Marshal
from Atlanta was in attendance and immediately offered to help search for the missing child. With his assistance, NCMEC obtained
a new location for the mother in Arizona.
NCMEC
located an attorney in Arizona to work with the father. The attorney filed the Hague action and obtained a pick-up order. The
child was picked up at her school and reunited with her father. After more than a year of separation, the now 5-year-old ran
into her father’s arms and began speaking to him in German.
NCMEC continued to provide assistance through the
Hague hearing date, by providing educational materials to the father’s attorney to help prepare his pleadings. By October
7, 2006, father and daughter returned to Germany,
where she is now enrolled in school and reuniting with old friends.
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