My Child Is Missing

The first 48 hours following a child going missing are the most critical and also the most confusing and chaotic time for family members.

This checklist has been compiled to help you through this confusing period.

• Report your child as missing to local law enforcement or dial 999* as soon as possible.
• Ask if your child can be placed on the www.missingkids.co.uk website (.com for the US). Only a police officer can refer a child to the website.
• Ask for the name and contact number of the officer you have spoken to.
• Limit access to your home until law enforcement arrives. Don’t touch or remove anything from your home or your child’s room – anything in your home could hold a clue to the whereabouts of your child.
• Write down what your child was wearing the last time you saw them and remember to include distinguishing features such as birthmarks, scars, tattoos, piercings etc.
• Make a list of your child’s friends and contacts. Try and include addresses, phone numbers, e-mails and mobile numbers if you know them. This can save valuable time.
• Find a recent photographs of your child.
• Keep a notepad by your phone to log down who calls you and the times of calls.
• Keep a diary or notebook to hand – this comes in useful as you may think of questions you want to ask or think of some information, which you may later forget.
• Look after yourself – your child needs you to remain strong and healthy!
• Talk to someone about the feelings you have.

* Please note the different emergency numbers:

• 000 Emergency phone number in Australia
• 111 Emergency phone number in New Zealand
• 112 Emergency phone number across the European Union and on GSM mobile networks across the world
• Emergency phone number in parts of East Asia
• 911 Emergency phone number in US and Canada