TEXAS, USA — Tuesday marks the 38th National Missing Children’s Day and since the proclamation of the day President Ronald Reagan instilled, many new factors go into why a child goes missing.
With the internet being prominent in everyone’s lives now, it plays a role in predators and criminals having access to children all over the world.
Media director for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Angeline Hartmann says children being online in a vulnerable place for many bad things to potentially happen to children.
“We don’t want to scare families but we want to make sure that families are informed so they can make the right decisions and prevent bad things from happening. We know parents, children, and families are all online more than ever before. As long as families are aware of what’s going on online and having those conversations, it could make a huge difference.” Hartmann said.
She said the light hasn’t been shined on missing children as much within the past year because of people's distraction with the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the FBI, 2020 had more than 365,000 missing children in the United States and more than 37,000 children missing in Texas.
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Cliff Griffin said the county doesn't have any active missing children on record currently but are prepared for it if that time comes.
“We take every missing child case seriously and we investigate from all avenues necessary in order to find the child. We also inform parents throughout the process about what we’re doing and that we will take every measure necessary to find their child.” Griffin said.
Tom Green County’s recently appointed Lt. William “Billy” Fiveash addressed the timing parents should call law enforcement when they feel their child is missing.
“Don’t wait 24 hours. If you think your child is missing, you need to contact law enforcement as soon as possible so we can handle the situation properly.”