2019 AMBER Alert Report: Analysis of AMBER Alert Cases in 2019

• NCJ Number: 256033
• Date Published: 2020
• Length: 42 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2019-MU-MU-K012
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored

Annotation

This report presents information about AMBER Alerts issued from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Abstract

Although these AMBER Alert cases may have been activated in multiple areas, this report organizes the alerts based on the state/territory of first activation. Cases are analyzed according to the case type for which the AMBER Alert was issued, not the case type at the time of recovery. The report’s introduction outlines the standard steps in initiating and implementing an AMBER Alert. For the purposes of this report, the cases are placed in one of the following defined categories as initially recorded: family abduction; non-family abduction; lost, injured, or otherwise missing; or endangered runaway. Cases are categorized as “resolved” when any of the following criteria are met: returned home to a parent or legal guardian; remains in the custody of law enforcement; victim is in contact with the parent or legal guardian, but will not be returning home and the parents or legal guardian and law enforcement are satisfied with the situation. A child’s case is labeled recovered/deceased by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) if a body has been found and positively identified. A child’s recovery is considered a “success story” when the safe recovery of a child occurred as a direct result of the AMBER Alert being issued. The report indicates that of the 145 AMBER Alerts issued from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019, 142 cases resulted in a recovery, 24 of which were successfully recovered as a direct result of an AMBER Alert being issued. 24 figures and 24 tables