2021 AMBER Alert Report: Analysis of AMBER Alert Cases in 2021

• NCJ Number: 305759
• Date Published: 2022
• Length: 34 pages
• Grant Number(s): 15PJDP-21-GK-02819-MECP
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Annual/Periodic)

Annotation

This report presents information about the 254 AMBER Alerts issued in the U.S. from January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021.

Abstract

This document reports on all AMBER Alert Activations for the calendar year 2021, issued in the U.S. The report provides a history of the AMBER Alert system and its development since 1996 to increase the likelihood that abducted children will be recovered swiftly and safely; a 2021 AMBER Alert overview, including number and locations of Alert activations, organized by state and territory, and a summary of the NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) operational support for AMBER Alerts; it provides a primary case analysis of AMBER Alert cases and children, abductors in AMBER Alert cases, incident duration, case geographies noting travel distances as well as international abductions, success stories, and children whose remains were discovered; hoax and unfounded AMBER Alerts are discussed; as well as a five year comparison of AMBER Alerts that provides an overview of yearly and monthly AMBER Alert totals, children in AMBER Alerts from 2017 to 2021, and hoaxes and unfounded AMBER Alert activations. The report provides graphs and tables throughout, and a map of 2021 AMBER Alert activations, at the end.