From the Tribune staff reports
WASHINGTON – The 40th annual National Missing Children’s Day will be observed Friday, May 25.
Proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, this day highlights the significance of efforts to locate and reunite children with their families.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) invites everyone to join in honoring the children who have come home and spreading awareness of the ongoing efforts to locate those who remain missing.
The establishment of NCMEC was prompted after the disappearance of 6-year old Etan Patz in 1979 sparked a nationwide search, followed by the Atlanta child murders that claimed the lives of 29 children and young adults. In 1981, the abduction and brutal murder of 6-year-old Adam Walsh highlighted the critical need for action.
In response to these incidents, Congress passed the Missing Children’s Act in 1982, enabling the inclusion of missing child information in the FBI’s National Crime Information Center database (NCIC). NCMEC was officially opened by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, fortifying the organization’s comprehensive approach to addressing issues surrounding missing and sexually exploited children.
Since its inception, NCMEC has served as a national resource center for families, victims, private organizations, law enforcement and the public. In 2022 alone, NCMEC assisted in 27,644 cases involving missing children.
Since 1984, NCMEC has assisted law enforcement, families and child welfare with more than 400,000 cases of missing children who were recovered.
On National Missing Children’s Day 2023, NCMEC encourages everyone to help out by taking the following actions:
- Share a poster of a missing child in your area. To search for missing children in your area, click the link here
- Stay connected with NCMEC on social media @missingkids to stay informed and contribute to spreading awareness
- Learn more about NCMEC and child safety on their website at www.missingkids.org
