AMBER Alerts: Finding Missing Children

The History of AMBER Alerts

Amber Hagerman was a nine-year-old girl who was kidnapped and killed in 1996 in Texas. Her tragic death led to the creation of the AMBER Alert program, which is a nationwide system that activates in the most serious child-abduction cases to broadcast information about the missing child.

Guidelines and Legislation

The AMBER Alert program has specific guidelines and legislation that govern its activation. Law enforcement agencies must meet certain criteria before issuing an AMBER Alert, including confirming that the child is under the age of 18, that they have been abducted, and that there is a belief that the child is in imminent danger.

Effectiveness and Resources

The AMBER Alert program has been highly effective in helping to recover missing children. Since its inception, over 900 children have been safely recovered thanks to AMBER Alerts. The program has also led to the development of a number of resources for families of missing children, including the National Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) Helpline.