Run away, become lost, or have been discarded by their lawful custodian or parent. Some children are found dead, and some are never recovered at all. Immediate and intensive location efforts are necessary. Children abducted by non-custodial parent live the life of victims of both emotional and sometimes physical abuse. They are frequently traumatized not only emotionally but by physical abuse from a desperate absconding parent.
Runaways comprise the largest category of missing children.
The manpower and resources needed to track them, as well as the perception that they will eventually return to their families by themselves, have made them a difficult enforcement problem. Unfortunately, while away, they are likely to be exposed to adverse and exploitive influences including drugs and prostitution. Often they enter criminal statistics through these activities or others. Safety Tips Teach your child how to use the phone to call your home or office. Practice making collect calls, tell your child you will always accept collect calls and to call immediately should anything unusual happen, or if anyone tells the child that you are dead or don't love them anymore.