NCJ Number
101474
Date Published
1985
Length
77 pages
Annotation
Statements and testimony before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice concern Federal efforts to address the problem of missing children, as well as private-sector initiatives designed to find and return missing and runaway children to their families.
Abstract
Statements by U.S. Senators review Federal efforts, notably the 1982 Missing Children Act, which extends the FBI's authority to collect and record data on missing children, and the 1984 Juvenile Justice, Runaway Youth, and Missing Children's Act amendments. The latter law establishes Federal programs to assist local and State authorities in the search for missing children, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a national resource center and clearinghouse providing technical assistance to law enforcement. Testimony by the executive director of this center reviews the center's work and offers suggestions for upgrading data on missing children in the National Crime Information Center. A National Broadcasting Co. executive reports on the response to NBC's program on Adam Walsh, a missing child, and subsequent network efforts to publicize the identities of missing children. A Pittsburgh, Pa., police officer testifies about the fraudulent efforts of some individuals and organizations to obtain money from families of missing children by offering false hopes that they can find their children. A Trailways Corp. executive and other business representatives describe their efforts to help find missing and runaway children. Appended letters and statements.