Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Child abduction on increase throughout state

It is much easier to plan for an emergency involving a missing child than to wait until it happens.

A child abduction spokeswoman from the Arkansas Attorney Generals Office, Consumer Protection Division, offered comments Monday at Gurdon High School about how to keep your child from becoming a statistic in regard to being victimized by kidnapers.

Rachel Ellis, child abduction spokeswoman, said the frequency of abductions because of internet "courtships" has increased over the past few years, but the overall active cases of missing children in Arkansas has not risen significantly.

Missing

Ellis said criteria to be considered a missing child in Arkansas are: the child must be 17 years old or younger, a confirmation of abduction must be made, a threat of physical injury or death must be established, or the child must have a mental or physical disability.

Statistically, she offered the following numbers concerning juveniles missing under circumstances indicating that the disappearance was not voluntary, that is abduction or kidnaping.

The active records in the system, as of December of 2004, indicate 157 cases entered and 145 cancelled. That means 12 unsolved and still active.

Comparing that to December of 2001, in the same category for Arkansas, there were 11 active records but no totals offered on cases entered or cancelled.

In the general juvenile category, the numbers for missing and does not meet the criteria of other categories, as of December of 2004, shows 4,224 entered and 4210 cancelled. However, active records in the system indicate 382 juvenile cases.

As of March 31, 2001, the Arkansas Active Missing Children Cases for 17 and under, juvenile category (missing and does not meet the criteria of other categories), indicated 328 active cases.

Reducing risk

Ellis said, "We are learning more and more about how to prevent child abduction. There is really not one particular thing to do, but rather a series of things parents can do to reduce the risks."

Ellis said the buddy system in juvenile travel helps reduce abductions considerably "as predators do not see the opportunity to kidnap when another child is present."

She said being safe is not costly. She recommended parents or guardians keep updated photos of their children, dental records, fingerprints, and keep such items in a fireproof location that is easily accessible in case the worst happens.

"It is important, with all of the money making schemes in our world, to not be tricked into paying for child protection items that can be obtained for free," she said. "If your child does get taken, always call the police first."

Ellis said many people waste valuable moments after first discovering a child gone that police could be actively involved in helping with the search.

"Call the authorities in on the situation before you search your home and call your neighbors," she said. "Police officers would much rather receive a second call in a few hours with a happy ending than for precious search time to escape. The more time lapse, the bigger the chance of harm to your child."

Ellis said parents or guardians, if faced with a possible abduction, need to write down search steps taken, in the order taken, to turn into authorities.

"They will need the telephone numbers you have called, she said. "And if there are any really stand-out things in a description, tell them."

Strangers

Ellis said the old stay away from strangers theme is not modeled correctly in front of most children.

"If they see you talk to someone in the grocery, kids dont get it. They figure it is fine to talk to that person alone later," she said. "It is very important that your child feel comfortable telling you somebody makes them uncomfortable and that you portray yourself as a person your child can easily go to in order to access help."

Ellis stressed the practice what you teach theory of safety. She said a plan of action, between trusted adults and juveniles, needs to be developed and known by both parties.

"The kids need to know how to choose the best helpers," she said.

"Children need to be aware that they should always go tell someone if an adult touches them in a bad way. Also, people watch our kids. Make sure the children realize they should never take shortcuts, like going home from school."

Although Ellis said there is no single most important factor in keeping a child under 17 safe, she did say having open lines of communication with trusted adults is very important.

"Parents, keep warning them to keep their distance from strangers and about the dangers out there," she said.