1: Call The Police

• Dial 911. If it is not available, look in the white pages under the town's name for the police or under the county's name for the sheriff.
• Concentrate on remaining calm; it is the best way to help your child.
• When someone answers, give your full name, exact location, and say, "I want to report a missing child."
• Ask that an officer be sent immediately.

2: Search, But Do Not Touch

• Clues may be in your home; do not clean it or move anything. Even trash may offer clues to a trained professional.
• Do not disturb anything in the child's room or allow anyone to enter it. It has your child's fingerprints and the police need them.
• Look under beds, in closets, garden sheds, well houses, culverts, any container with a lid or door that may close behind your child, i.e. storm cellars, large storage boxes. Search at the neighbor's homes.
• Call your child's friends to find out the last time they saw or talked with your child.

3: Be Ready For The Police

• Write down your child's full birth name, nickname, age, parents' names, address and telephone number. If divorced, give the information about both parents.
• List the names, addresses and telephone numbers of your child's close friends.
• Provide a recent photograph of your child, but not a glamour shot.
• If someone saw your child abducted, have the witness ready to speak with the police.

4: Be Specific When Talking With The Police

• Give the time of day and location that your child was last seen. Use landmarks, street names, buildings or business signs to ensure the officer understands the location.
• Describe your search in specific words such as "in bedroom and hall closets," "under four beds," etc. If there is time, list the places you searched on paper and hand to police.
• If your child was abducted by vehicle, give the vehicle color and body style such as van, sports utility, 2-door, 4-door. If you don't know the make and model, look around for one similar.

5: Be Specific Describing Your Child

• If you have a child I.D. kit, retrieve that information. If not, give height, weight, body build, color and length of hair, color of eyes, birthmarks and disabilities.
• Note special markings: scars, braces, eyeglasses, pierced ears, etc.
• Describe clothing in which the child was last seen. For each item give colors, brand names, rips, and patterns. Include accessories: barrettes, ribbons, earrings, cell phones, beepers, purses, toys, etc. Closing your eyes often helps to visualize your child.
• Provide any medication names the child takes, when it was last taken and when it is next due.
• Help the police really know your child as you do. The police receive many false alarms, so have someone - your pastor, child's school teacher or principal, or a person in the community with name recognition who knows your child - call and attest to your child's integrity