Types of Missing Children Cases

– Abducted by a non-custodial parent

Non-custodial parent abductions are a serious problem in the United States. According to the Department of Justice, about 200,000 children are abducted by a parent each year. Of those, about 85% are taken by the non-custodial parent.

There are several reasons why a non-custodial parent might abduct their child. They may be angry about the divorce or custody arrangement and want to take their child away from the other parent. They may also feel like they are not getting enough access to their child and decide to take them without permission. Unfortunately, it is often the case that parents who are angry with each other will often try to hurt one another by using their child as a pawn.

It can be very difficult to track down a missing child when they have been abducted by a non-custodial parent. The custodial parent often has little legal recourse and may need to hire a private investigator to help find their child. Additionally, often a family law attorney can be of assistance, especially in cases where the non-custodial parent has taken the child and fled to another locale.

 

– Abducted by a family member

Family abductions account for a significant number of missing children cases. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, family abductions make up approximately 40% of all reported missing children cases. This means that there are thousands of children who go missing every year due to a family abduction.

There are several reasons why a family member might abduct a child. They may want to keep the child away from the other parent during a custody dispute. They may also be trying to protect the child from abuse or neglect. Or they may simply want to keep the child with them and not let them go back to their parents.

 

– Runaways

Runaways are a major problem in the United States. Every year, thousands of children flee their homes and run away from home. Many of them end up on the streets, where they are at risk of exploitation or violence.

 

There are several reasons why a child might run away from home. They may be experiencing abuse or neglect at home. They may be struggling with mental health issues or addiction. additionally, they may simply feel like they have no other option but to leave home.

If you believe that your child has run away from home, it is important to contact the police immediately. They will be able to help you search for your child and provide support during this difficult time. Additionally, there are many organizations that can help you if your child has run away, such as the National Runaway Safeline, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Another option is to hire an experienced private investigator. A private detective who specializes in missing persons cases can devote much more time to any single case than the a police detective with a large caseload is able to.

 

– Victims of human trafficking or child kidnapping for illegal adoption or sexual exploitation

child sexual exploitation and trafficking is a serious global problem that affects millions of children every year. These children are often kidnapped or lured away from their homes with the promise of a better life, only to be subjected to rape, abuse and torture. Many of them end up on the streets, where they are at risk of further exploitation or violence. While there are many law enforcement agencies, task forces, and various non-profit agencies who specialize in recovering children from being trafficked, often times parents will contact a known private investigator who specializes in missing persons investigations to find their missing child.

 

– Abandoned children

Every year, there are thousands of children who go missing and are never found. Many of these children are abandoned by their parents and end up on the streets where they are at risk of exploitation or violence.

If you suspect a child has been abandoned, notify local law enforcement immediately.

 

– Kids who are lost or ‘forgotten’ in public places like malls, amusement parks or crowded events

It is easy for children to get lost in public places like amusement parks or crowded events. These places can be very overwhelming for children, and they can easily get lost in the crowds. In some cases, children may even be ‘forgotten’ by their parents in these places.

It is important to always keep track of your children, and to have a plan in place in case they get lost. Here are a few commonsense tips for avoiding this situation:

– Make sure your children know their full name, address, and phone number.

– Teach them how to find a police officer or security guard if they get lost.

– Have a plan for what you will do if your child gets lost. This should include having a recent photo of your child with you, as well as their full name and address.

– Stay together as a group when you are in crowded places. This will make it easier to keep track of your children.

– Keep track of where your children are at all times. If they wander off, immediately go to the last place you saw them and start looking for them.

-Consider using technology such as cell phone tracking, GPS units or Apple Air Tags which can be placed in clothing or items such as backpacks, bags, etc…

 

 

 

When should you hire a Private Investigator to locate a missing child?

When it comes to finding a missing child, many parents feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to turn. There may have initially been a lot of attention paid to the case by law enforcement, but that initial interest seems to wane with each passing day. For the loved ones of a missing child, this can be the time to hire outside help. There are many different options available to you, but one of the most effective can be to hire an experienced private investigator specializing in missing persons cases.

Some private detectives have experience in finding missing children, and they can devote more time to your case than an overextended police detective may be able to. If you feel like you’ve exhausted all your options, or if you need someone to devote more time and energy to finding your child, then hiring a private investigator may be the right option for you.

If you decide to hire a private investigator, make sure to do your research and choose someone with experience in missing persons cases. Ask for referrals from the local police or look for online reviews.

Once you’ve found someone you think may be a good fit, schedule an initial consultation to discuss your case and concerns. A reputable private investigator should be able to provide you with references from his or her past cases.

Hiring a private investigator can certainly be costly, but it is worth the investment if it means bringing a child home safely.

When you hire a private investigator, they will likely want to meet with you and your family to get as much information about the child as possible. They will also want to know about any possible suspects or persons of interest. The more information you can provide, the better.

The private investigator will then develop a plan of action based on the information you’ve provided. This may include conducting interviews, searching the child’s room, reviewing social media and any electronic devices, checking surveillance footage, or conducting surveillance at locations where the child was last seen. Additionally, a good missing persons investigator will have a multitude of resources and contacts within law enforcement and will be able to leverage these contacts in productive ways that benefit the case.

If not already created, a missing persons investigator will generate a missing person flyer with the missing child’s picture, name, physical information, clothing las known to be wearing, last known location, and other specific factual circumstances of the case. These flyers can be used by investigators when interviewing witnesses and may ultimately be distributed to the public via social media and the local news stations and papers.

If the private investigator succeeds in find the missing child, they will work with you and law enforcement to ensure a safe recovery and return. In many cases, the private investigator may be able to provide evidence that leads to an arrest or conviction of those responsible for taking the child.

At DeWitt Detective Agency in San Francisco, we specialize in locating missing persons and children. We have over 30 years of experience conducting these types of cases and have developed the contacts and trust within law enforcement, social services organizations, the media, and with other professionals who may be of help to the investigation. Keep in mind that with many missing persons cases, especially those that involve at risk adults or children, time is often of the essence.

Do not hesitate to contact us at any time for a free consultation and case evaluation.