What to do if your child is missing

Marc Klass, Presidendt of KlassKids, shares advice for parents on the best and most important steps to take if they realize that their child is missing
Kids Safety Tips | What To Do If Your Child Is Missing
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What to do if your child is missing

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The immediate steps a parent should take if their child is missing are really case specific. Number one, you want to make sure that your children aren't hiding someplace in your home, particularly, if they are little toddlers. They may very well be doing that or even have fallen asleep behind a couch. Number two, if your child is outside anyway, you should check with friends and family to make sure that they are not with them. If you've done all of this and your child is still missing, you need to call 9-1-1, but then you have to call every other law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction, including the Sheriff, the State Police, and the FBI. You can never be sure that one agency will contact the other one. The next thing you could do is start calling Media Assignment Desks, not that they are going to move on your suggestions, but that there's a parent there willing to get on camera and talk about that missing child, should they hear from law enforcement. Finally, find any organizations in your community that can assist you during some kind of a missing child emergency.

Marc Klass, Presidendt of KlassKids, shares advice for parents on the best and most important steps to take if they realize that their child is missing

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Marc Klaas

President, KlaasKids

In the aftermath of the Oct 1, 1993 kidnapping and murder of his 12-year-old daughter Polly, Marc Klaas gave up his lucrative rental car franchise to pursue an aggressive child safety agenda. In announcing the formation of the non-profit KlaasKids Foundation in September, 1994 Mr. Klaas said, “we can give meaning to Polly’s death and create a legacy in her name that will be protective of children for generations to come by pursuing the singular mission of stopping crimes against children.” Through federal and state legislative efforts Mr. Klaas promotes prevention programs for at-risk youth, stronger sentencing for violent criminals and governmental accountability and responsibility. Mr. Klaas travels extensively through the United States facilitating child safety events, encouraging innovative solutions and proven programs that positively impact crime, abuse and neglect that plague children in so many of our communities. He also counsels and advises numerous victim families and families of kidnapped children.

Teaching Kids to be Safe
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Transcription: 
The immediate steps a parent should take if their child is missing are really case specific. Number one, you want to make sure that your children aren't hiding someplace in your home, particularly, if they are little toddlers. They may very well be doing that or even have fallen asleep behind a couch. Number two, if your child is outside anyway, you should check with friends and family to make sure that they are not with them. If you've done all of this and your child is still missing, you need to call 9-1-1, but then you have to call every other law enforcement agency within the jurisdiction, including the Sheriff, the State Police, and the FBI. You can never be sure that one agency will contact the other one. The next thing you could do is start calling Media Assignment Desks, not that they are going to move on your suggestions, but that there's a parent there willing to get on camera and talk about that missing child, should they hear from law enforcement. Finally, find any organizations in your community that can assist you during some kind of a missing child emergency.