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Maryland's Missing Children

NCJ Number
164484
Journal
Trooper (Fall 1996) Pages: 39-42
Author(s)
T Wills
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In addition to providing photographs and information on nine children missing in Maryland since the 1980's and 1990's, this article provides guidelines for preventing child abductions.
Abstract
The first section of the article profiles the work of the Maryland Center for Missing Children, a unit of the Maryland State Police Criminal Intelligence Division. This is followed by a listing of stranger-abduction precautions for parents and guardians. Some suggestions are to never leave the child unattended; use a secret code word that persons must use before the child should go with them; encourage children to have a friend with them when they are going to be in vulnerable situations; instruct children in the use of the telephone; and instruct children in what to do if they believe they are being followed or are being confronted by someone they do not know well. Tips are also provided for school administrators in how to protect students from abductions while they are on school grounds or under school jurisdiction. Guidelines pertain to record- keeping, the identification of a child snatched by a noncustodial parent, telephone contact with a parent when a child is not in school, and the use of a system of checks and balances before a child is released into the custody of an adult at times other than regular dismissal. The article concludes with nine rules for parents to follow in keeping their children safe from abduction.