Every year, 460,000 children are reported missing in the United States alone. But it’s important to note that 99 percent of these children are eventually found, and 9 percent of those who go missing have been kidnapped by a family member during a custody dispute.
Missing Children Almost Always Get Home Safe
Half a million children going missing every year is alarming, but it should be considered that most of these children are missing briefly.
If you have a missing child or know of a missing child, you should be aware that missing children almost always make it home safe. While many children go missing every year, this is usually an issue of custody, children who have briefly run away, or other domestic incidents. Because of this, there’s always hope; children can and do make it home without injury.
But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a terrifying experience when it happens to you or someone you know. With many abductions, it’s the earliest days that are the most important. The longer the child is missing, the more that can potentially happen, and the further the child can get.
In general, of all the children missing, only about one percent of those children are going to still be missing by the end of the year. So, about 4,600 children every year are not found and remain still missing. Some of these children may be intentionally avoiding discovery, while other children may be with a non-custodial family member and be unaware that they are in danger.
Kidnapping During Custody Disputes
Different states deal with issues of custody differently. There are two things that can confuse issues with custody and therefore confuse issues with kidnapping:
- Non-custodial kidnapping. This is when a family member who does not have rights to custody takes a child. This is considered to be kidnapping. This could be another parent, an aunt, or a grandparent. This family member does not have the right to take the child but takes the child regardless. The muddled situation arises because it can be easy to see inter-family issues as purely domestic. It may take some work to get law enforcement involved in these situations.
- Legal “kidnapping.” Absent a custody decree, a parent is allowed to take their child away from another parent. In other words, a wife or a husband could take their child to another state or even another country without the permission of the other parent. Many parents feel that this is kidnapping, but it is a legal action unless the absent parent does not have custody. If a parent is concerned about the health and wellbeing of their child, they need to go to family court and get an emergency ruling that the child should be returned.
Parents need to understand their rights to their children if they are going to advocate for themselves. Quite frequently, they may need the help of professionals. Rights can get confusing especially when physical or legal custody is involved.
Missing Children in 2020
Missing persons cases increased throughout the last year for an important reason. The COVID pandemic made it more difficult for people to stay in touch. Additionally, because of COVID related deaths, some families experienced custody issues that could leave parents unaware of where children were placed, or family members unaware of where children were. Because family gatherings have been sparse throughout 2020, there may also be children who are currently at risk.
As 2021 progresses, it’s possible that some of these instances will get resolved. But when it comes to kidnapping and missing children, important for parents to have an advocate. Parents may need resources and investigators to find their children. They may also need to go through protracted legal battles if the child has been kidnapped by another parent or another family member.
Of course, even a single missing child is too many. And that’s why there are networks and resources open for families looking for their missing children.
How Are Missing Children Found?
The vast majority of missing children are not kidnapped but rather runaways. Over ninety percent of children who are missing have run away, either briefly or long-term. Many of these children will return on their own. But there’s always the risk that they could run into a dangerous situation while they have run away. The faster they can be found, the more lessened this risk.
About five percent of children have been abducted by a family member. Only one percent of children have been abducted by a non-family member. But all of this can, again, involve significant risk if the child is not found quickly.
Missing children are searched for by law enforcement and often private investigators. When children run away, they will often be found with friends or even distant family members. Their locations can be traced through things such as spending patterns, social media accounts, and their own close friends. When a parent or family member abducts a child, they may similarly reach out to known family members and family friends.
A significant amount of investigation may need to be done to find missing children. But rest-assured that most missing children are eventually found, it simply takes a significant number of resources.
Help with Parental Kidnappings, Regardless of Borders
If your spouse or ex-spouse has kidnapped your child, you need to be able to act immediately to fight for the return of your child. If you need help learning how to navigate this difficult process, contact The Committee for Missing Children for immediate help. They have a wealth of resources, and will be able to provide you with support and guidance so that you can be reunited with your child.
