NCJ Number
125590
Date Published
1990
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The story of Adam Walsh, abducted from a shopping mall in Hollywood, Florida, in 1981 emphasizes the problems facing children and the need for child advocacy.
Abstract
The police department conducted an immediate search of the area, local media were contacted and updated regularly, and a detective task force was established to handle case details. The family itself was investigated, and other law enforcement jurisdictions in the State were notified that a young boy had been abducted. The case demonstrated that law enforcement is often ill-prepared to deal with missing children and that few organizations are available to provide support and assistance to the families of missing children. At the Federal level, the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984 now mandates assistance for parents searching for their children, whether they be runaways, noncustodial parental abductions, or stranger abductions. The Adam Walsh Child Resource Center has become increasingly involved in preventive education to help children and parents avoid risk and in the improvement of parent-child communication. Efforts of law enforcement and other nonprofit agencies can be significantly improved through information sharing. 1 endnote.