On May 20, 2003, a ceremony was held in the Great Hall at the U.S. Department of Justice to commemorate National Missing Children’s Day. Attorney General John Ashcroft, Assistant Attorney General Deborah J. Daniels, and other dignitaries were present to recognize law enforcement efforts to recover missing children and to honor the courage of missing children and their families. The ceremony, organized by the Office of Justice Programs’ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), featured opening remarks from Assistant Attorney General Daniels and was moderated by OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores. Patty Wetterling, child advocate and mother of Jacob Wetterling, who has been missing since 1989, also spoke at the event.

U.S. Postal Inspector Elizabeth Bendel (second from left) receiving the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award from Attorney General John Ashcroft, with OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores and Assistant Attorney General Deborah J. Daniels.

Attorney General Ashcroft presented a number of awards to law enforcement officers who were recognized for their efforts to recover and assist missing and exploited children. “I’m honored to praise the law enforcement officers and others who vigorously defend and protect our nation’s children every day,” said Attorney General Ashcroft. “Law enforcement officers are often the first responders when a child is at risk or is missing, and they deserve recognition for their outstanding service and dedication to their communities.”

The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award was presented to U.S. Postal Inspector Elizabeth Bendel, who was instrumental in uncovering an international child pornography ring headquartered in Florida. Through Inspector Bendel’s diligent efforts, the perpetrator and four coconspirators were apprehended. As a result, 135 victims in the case are now safe and beyond the reach of these offenders.

The 2003 Law Enforcement Leadership Award was presented by Ernie Allen, President of NCMEC, to Chief Phil E. Keith of the Knoxville (TN) Police Department for his efforts on behalf of children during his 28-year career in law enforcement. Robbie Callaway, Chairman of the Board for NCMEC, presented the 2003 National Children’s Courage Award to Erica Pratt, who was abducted by two men in Philadelphia, PA. Held captive in the basement of an abandoned home with her hands and feet bound with duct tape, Erica, then 7 years old, freed herself by chewing through the tape, kicking open the basement door, making her way to a window, and yelling for help.

2003 National Children’s Courage Award winner Erica Pratt (front center) flanked by (left to right) Assistant Attorney General Deborah J. Daniels, NCMEC President Ernie Allen, Chairman of the NCMEC Board Robbie Callaway, Tamara Brooks, Keisha Pratt (Erica’s mom), OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores, and Patty Wetterling.

Ms. Daniels, who serves as National Coordinator for AMBER Alert, provided an update on the program, describing its past successes and future plans. “National Missing Children’s Day allows us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the strong partnership between the public and private sectors who work together on preventing abductions and providing services to child victims and their families,” said Ms.Daniels. “It is through these partnerships that we will develop and implement a coordinated nationwide AMBER Alert system that will offer a tremendous asset in bringing abducted children safely home.” Tamara Brooks, one of the 70 children safely returned home as a result of AMBER Alert, was in attendance at the ceremony.

Mr. Flores spoke about the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which addresses the growing use of new technologies to exploit children. He emphasized the need for collaboration to tackle the problem of missing and exploited children. Mr. Flores was joined by Kelsey Sauerer, last year’s Art Contest winner, to present the 4th annual Missing Children’s Day Art Contest Award to Carissa Hahn, a middle school student from Hutchinson, MN.

In her moving tribute to the families of missing children, Patty Wetterling described the effect of her son Jacob's abduction on herself and her family. She read from a journal entry by Jacob's sister, who described her feelings as an 8-year-old girl when her brother went missing. Echoing the theme of the ceremony, "Bringing Our Missing Children Home Safely," she encouraged the public to "look at the pictures of our missing children" and noted the important role ordinary citizens can play in their recovery.

For more information about Missing Children's Day activities and to learn how you can help in the effort to recover and assist missing and exploited children, visit the NCMEC Web site at www.missingkids.com.

OJJDP News @ a Glance	May/June 2003 Volume II Number 3