From: lindae@netcom.com ()
Subject: Runaways
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 92 17:53:44 GMT
Expires: Wed, 14 Oct 92 07:00:00 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 



This information is being posted by a volunteer for Child Quest
International, Inc., a non-profit organization headquartered in
San Jose, California.  For more information, please contact
Child Quest at (408) 492-1122.

Child Quest is devoted to the protection and recovery of missing, abused,
and exploited children.


		The following info. is reprinted from materials that were
		provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited
		Children.


------ IF YOUR CHILD RUNS AWAY ------

The first 48 hours following the runaway are the most important in locating
the child.  Many runaway children return home during this 48-hour period.  To 
help located your runaway child, follow these steps immediately.

1.  Check with your child's friends, school, neighbors, relatives, or
anyone else who may know of your child's whereabouts.  Ask them to notify
you if they hear from teh child.

2.  Report the runaway to the local police or sheriff's department.  Have
an officer respond to your home to take the report.

3.  Write down the officer's name, badge number, telephone number; and
the police report number.  Find out from the office who will follow up the
initial investigation.  Remember:  Keep a notebook and record all information
on the investigation.

4.  Provide the police with a recent photo of your child.

5.  Make sure your police departmetn enters your child's name and
description into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer.
This information will NOT give your child a police record, and it may
aid in his or her safe return.

6.  If your state has a clearinghouse on missing children, make sure that
the police pass on the necessary information about your child to
the clearinghouse.

7.  If your local police will not enter your child into the NCIC computer,
the FBI will.  The Missing Children Act of 1982 mandates this.  Contact 
your nearest FBI field office for help.  Remember:  No matter what you
have been told, there is no law requiring a waiting period for reporting
the child missing to the police or for entry into NCIC.  Some police
department procedures may still involve a waiting period; therefore,
you may have to go to the FBI yourself to get your child entered into
NCIC.

8.  Call or check several local spots that your child may frequent, and
check with area hospitals and treatment centers.  If your child was
employed, call the employer or coworkers.

9.  If you have not done so, contact the National Center for Mssing
and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

10.  Call your local runaway hotline (if there is one) as well as the
National Runaway Switchboard at 1-800-621-4000.  Ask if your child has
left a message, and leave a message for him or her.  You may wish to contact
the Runaway Hotline at 1-800-231-6946 or Home Run at 1-800-647-7968.  
Also contact local runaway shelters and those in adjoining states.  There
are over 400 runaway shelters throughout the country; and they will be
able to give you assistance and advice.

11.  Make fingerprints and dental records available to the police.  This
information may need to be added to the existing NCIC entry.

12.  ... have posters made of your child.  Place them in store front windows,
and distribute them to truck stops, youth-oriented businesses, hospitals,
treatment centers, and law-enforcement agencies.


			-- MORE TO COME --

Keeping Hope Alive,
Child Quest International
lindae@netcom.com



Newsgroups: alt.missing-kids