Still, the prospect that a child can disappear in the twinkling of aneye -- no matter the perpetrator -- worries parents. And, according toJohn Goad of the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons, thenumbers are going up. First, more people are filing such reports, and,second, Goad says, those instances are increasing in number.
There has been a misunderstanding that 24 hours must pass before such areport can be filed with officials. That is not the case. Reports ofmissing people -- no matter their age -- should be made as soon as theyare determined informally to be gone. Otherwise, crucial time is lost instarting the search.
Goad says that in the case of children the easiest way to reduce theinstances is to use common sense. He suggests always keeping children insight, and not letting them go to parks and malls alone. He says thesafest way is to avoid situations, not people.
The Center for Missing Persons hopes that by bringing attention to theproblem, they can ensure that no one forgets the children. This is alsoNational Missing Children Week.
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