Evening star., 1928-12-27
PARENTS OF LOST
CHILDREN BLAMED
Fail to Show Concern When
Youngsters Are Missing,
Says Lieut.. Van Wrinkle.

Childish expeditions in search of an
elusive Santa Claus are cited by Lieut.
Nina Van Wrinkle. chief of the Women's
Bureau, as being largely responsible for
the unusual number of children lost
bnd found on Washington streets during
the excitement of the Christmas period.
Mrs. Van Wrinkle said it was SurpriS-
ing how Indifferent many parents ap-
peared over disappearance of their chill
dren.
Il usually can tell Just the sort of
homes these children come from when
they are brought to the Detention
House." Mrs Van Wrinkle said. when
they appear satisfied and show no
anxiety over the fact that they are
aoSt, I know there is much to be de-
sired in the home and parents they
have left. If they have left good par
ents and nice home, they do not rest
or be consoled until they have found
Mamma"
Parents Fail to Notify Police.
Among children who wandered from
home the week before Christmas, Mrs
Van Wrinkle Said one little boy in search
of Santa Claus was returned to his par
ents after having been gone practically
all the night to find the parents up
worried about the disappearance. The
mother and father were making leisure
ay preparations to look for him.
1T is strange how much self-confi-
dence these children have" Mrs. Van
Winkle continued. "One little boy from
Georgetown had been given some money.
With the desire of seeing Santa Claus
and the Christmas shops, he took a
street car and went as far as Dupont
Circle, where he was found later by
member of the police force and Subse-
quently returned to his home The
child could not have been more than 3
years old.
In this particular case the mother was
found to be quite distracted from worry.
However, she had not notified police.
I wish to stress the Importance of all
persons interested in finding or locat-
ing children or others of concern to
them reporting Immediately to the po-
lice. The lapse of even few minutes
may be the cause of avoidable mis-
fortune to children who have Strayed
from their homes. At the same time
it saves parents needless anxiety, as
with early reports the ploice can aid
more effectively in locating missing
persons"
Many serious conditions in homes
and even the apprehension of criminals
are frequently discovered by police
women through the innocent prattling
of lost children. A recent case was cited
by Mrs. Van Winkle. A little colored
boy was found wandering aimlessly on
the streets. Brought to the Detention
House, the following conversation en-
sued:
"What is your name, son?"
Johnny came the answer.
Johnny, what?"
Dunno"
''What'S your mothers name?"
Mamma"
''Where does she live?"
"Occoquan," came the prompt and
unabashed answer.
Where is your father?" he was asked,
and what does he do?"
His names papa, and he sells boot
leg" was the reply.
Upon investigation, it was discovered
that the childs mother was in the
workhouse and that the father was a
bootlegger doing an active holiday
business.
Child Located Every Day.
Mrs. Van Wrinkle stated there was a
marked increase in the number of chill
dren who strayed from home during the
two or three weeks preceding Christ