When your child has gone missing, you may naturally be feeling lost, confused, or isolated trying to make sense of the situation. In order to help recover your child in the midst of such chaos, it is important to remember that time is the enemy. Recent statistics demonstrate the importance of preplanning and initial response immediately after a child goes missing to ensure successful recovery.The first 48 hours following a child’s disappearance are the most critical to make sure a child gets returned home safely. However, the first 3 hours are the most crucial window of time for an initial response, as well as for gathering all available resources you have on your child. This is even more urgent on reservations, where Tribal and State jurisdiction can change quickly. For this reason, it is important to know how you can be the best prepared should a situation like this arise in your family or community.
