FBI to Support National Children’s Day

Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division, announces the FBI’s continued support of National Missing Children’s Day on May 25. Anthony states, “Nothing is more serious than when a child is missing. We ask that all citizens join law enforcement in remaining vigilant in order to protect our most sacred treasure, our kids. The FBI, along with its partners, will devote all necessary resources and leave no stone unturned to recover any child that is missing.”

“When Amanda Berry, Georgina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight were found, the world celebrated. This instance gives us reason to keep hope alive and have faith that the missing can be found. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to search for our missing until all investigations come to fruition,” says Chief Michael McGrath, Cleveland Division of Police.

The FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force is one way the FBI and its law enforcement partners combat crimes against children. The FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force is composed of law enforcement agents from the FBI, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, and the Adult Parole Authority. The task force investigates missing and exploited children, child prostitution, and other significant violent crimes.

The FBI was given jurisdiction under the “Lindbergh Law” in 1932 to immediately investigate any reported mysterious disappearance or kidnapping involving a child of “tender age”—usually 12 or younger. However, the FBI goes one step further, as any child missing under the age of 18 the FBI can become involved as an assisting agency to the local police department. There does not have to be a ransom demand, and the child does not have to cross state lines or be missing for 24 hours. Research indicates that the quicker the reporting of the mysterious disappearance or abduction, the more likely the successful outcome in returning the child unharmed.

The FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force, the Cleveland Police Department, and FBI Citizen Academy Foundation members will be handing out child identification kits on Saturday, May 25, 2013, at Westtown Shopping Center at W. 110th and Lorain, Cleveland, Ohio, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The child identification kit is a proactive measure for parents to complete and keep in their possession hoping that the kit is never utilized. Kits are also available to order from the National Child ID Program or to download from Google Play on Android phones and on iPhones. Additionally, tips for keeping your children safe are listed on www.fbi.gov and www.missingkids.com.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that almost 800,000 children are reported missing in a one-year time period (more than 2,100 children a day). Over 200,000 of these missing children are the victims of family abductions and over 58,000 are victims of family friends or family acquaintances. An estimated 115 children were the victims of kidnappings where the child was abducted by a stranger.

Since 1997 through April 17, 2013, the AMBER alert program has been credited with the safe recovery of 642 children. Each state has an AMBER alert plan.

The FBI is fully committed to support local law enforcement partners investigating missing and endangered children.

Any questions regarding this news release can be directed to SA Vicki D Anderson at the Cleveland Office of the FBI, 216-522-1400 or Vicki.anderson@ic.fbi.gov.