What to do if your child is missing

If you believe your child may be missing, take action immediately. If you think your child may be at a friend's house, call that number. If your child is not there, follow this plan.

FIRST: Call 911 and tell the person who answers the phone that you are reporting a possible missing child and it is a high-priority police emergency. He or she will start asking questions. Remain calm and answer the questions as completely as possible. The operator will relay this information to officers on the street while you are talking, so action will already be underway.

SECOND: When you hang up, immediately call the nearest missing children's organization in your area. This is not a time to be searching for phone numbers. You should already have this number written in a safe place. The people who staff these organizations know exactly what to do and will jump into action immediately.

THIRD: Contact the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This is a clearinghouse for missing children and it has the ability to get the word out about your child coast-to-coast. Its number is 1(800) THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Keep this number in a safe place. The national center can also put you in touch with a local missing children's organization in your area.

FOURTH: Contact your local sheriff's department's search and rescue division and request that they get involved.

FIFTH: Contact the FBI's Missing Children's Task Force. The phone number should be listed in the front of your phone book.

SIXTH: Contact the media - radio, television and newspaper.

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