by Rider, Tanya
www.launch.hgea.org/hsc
www.hawaii.uscity.net/Missing_Persons
IDAHO
Idaho State Police Special Programs Unit, Missing Persons
Clearinghouse
Meridian, ID
208-884-7154 | Toll Free: 888-777-3922 (nationwide)
[email protected]
www.isp.state.id.us/identification/missing/index.html
ILLINOIS
Illinois State Police
Springfield, IL
217-785-4341 | Toll Free: 800-843-5763 (nationwide)
[email protected]
www.isp.state.il.us
www.someoneismissing.com/illinois/missing.htm
INDIANA
Indiana State Police, Indiana Missing Children Clearinghouse
Indianapolis, IN
317-232-8310 | Toll Free: 800-831-8953 (nationwide)
[email protected]
www.isp.state.in.us
IOWA
Missing Person Information Clearinghouse, Iowa Division of Criminal
Investigation
Des Moines, IA
515-725-6036 | Toll Free: 800-346-5507 (nationwide)
[email protected]
www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/mpic
KANSAS
Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Missing Persons Clearinghouse
Topeka, KS
785-296-8200
[email protected]
www.accesskansas.org/kbi/mp.htm
KENTUCKY
Kentucky State Police
Frankfort, KY
502-564-1020 | Toll Free: 800-543-7723 (nationwide) or 800-KIDS SAF
[email protected]
www.kentuckystatepolice.org
Exploited Children’s Help Organization, Inc.
Louisville, KY
502-636-3670
[email protected]
www.echolou.org
LOUISIANA
Louisiana Department of Social Services, Clearinghouse for Missing &
Exploited Children, Office of Community Services
Baton Rouge, LA
225-342-8631
[email protected]
www.dss.state.la.us
MAINE
Maine State Police, Missing Children Clearinghouse
Houlton, ME
207-532-5404
[email protected]
www.state.me.us/msp/msp.htm
MARYLAND
Maryland Center for Missing Children, Maryland State Police—
Computer Crimes Unit
Pikesville, MD
410-290-1620 | Toll Free: 800-637-5437 (nationwide)
TTY 410-486-0677 (deaf or hard of hearing)
[email protected]
www.ccu.mdsp.org/mcmc.htm
Rachel Foundation for Family Reintegration
The Rachel Foundation
Damascus, MD
202-320-0848
[email protected]
www.rachelfoundation.org
Missing and Exploited Children’s Association (MECA)
Timonium, MD
Toll-Free: 888-755-6322 (MECA)
[email protected]
www.mecaofmd.com
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts State Police, Missing Persons Unit
Framingham, MA
Phone: 508-820-2129 | Toll Free: 800-622-5999 (in-state only)
[email protected]
www.state.ma.us/msp
Rad Kids: Personal Empowerment Safety Education
West Harwich, MA
508-430-2080 | Toll Free: 1-866-430-2080
[email protected]
www.radKIDS.org
MICHIGAN
Michigan State Police, Prevention Services Unit
East Lansing, MI
517-333-4006 2521 (information) | 24 Hours Emergency: 517-336-6100
[email protected]
www.michigan.gov/msp
Missing Children’s Network of Michigan
Muskegon, MI
616-727-0591 | Toll Free: 800-985-2849
[email protected]
www.i2k.com/~mcnmi
MINNESOTA
Minnesota State Clearinghouse, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
St. Paul, MN
651-793-1107
[email protected]
www.dps.state.mn.us/bca.bca.html
The Jacob Wetterling Foundation, Metro Office
St. Paul, MN
St. Joseph, MN
651-714-4673 (Edina office) | 320-363-0470 (St. Joseph office)
Toll Free: 800-325-4673 (HOPE)
[email protected]
www.jwf.org
Missing Children—Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
Toll Free: 1-888-786-9355 (RUN-YELL)
[email protected]
www.missingchildrenmn.org
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Highway Patrol, Criminal Information Center
Pearl, MS
601-933-2659
[email protected]
www.dps.state.mn.us/dps/dps.nsf
MISSOURI
Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missing Persons Unit, Division of Drug
and Crime Control
Jefferson City, MO
573-526-6178 | Toll Free: 1-800-877-3452 (nationwide)
[email protected]
www.mshp.state.mo.us
One Missing Link
Springfield, MO
417-886-5836 | Toll Free: 1-800-555-7037
[email protected]
www.onemissinglink.org
MONTANA
Montana Department of Justice, Missing / Unidentified Persons
Helena, MT
406-444-1526
[email protected]
www.doj.state.mt.us
Christian Lamb Foundation
Powell, WY (Also serves Montana)
307-754-9261 | 800-651-5262
[email protected]
www.clamb.org
NEBRASKA
Nebraska Missing Persons Clearinghouse, Nebraska State Patrol
Intelligence and Criminal Analysis Division
Lincoln, NE
402-479-4986 | Toll-Free: 1-877-441-5678
[email protected]
www.nsp.state.ne.us/missingpersons
NEVADA
Nevada Office of the Attorney General, Missing Children Clearinghouse
Las Vegas, NV
702-486-3539 | Toll Free: 1-800-992-0900 (in-state only)
[email protected]
www.ag.state.nv.us/Divisions/FraudUnits/MissingKids/miss_kids.htm
Nevada Child Seekers
Las Vegas, NV
702-458-7009 | Toll Free: 1-877-566-5437
Reno, NV 89502
775-323-5590 | Toll Free: 1-877-566-5437
www.nevadachildseekers.org
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire State Police, Investigative Services Bureau, Major
Crime Unit
Concord, NH
603-271-2663 | Toll Free: 1-800-852-3411 (in-state only)
24 Hour Referral: 603-271-3636
[email protected]
www.nh.gov/safety/nhsp
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey State Police, Unidentified Persons Unit
W. Trenton, NJ
609-882-2000 ext 2894 | Toll Free: 800-709-7090 (nationwide)
TRAK#: 609-538-0513
[email protected]
www.njsp.org/miss/mpu.html
NEW MEXICO
New Mexico Department of Public Safety, Attn: Law Enforcement
Records
Santa Fe, NM
505-827-9193
[email protected]
www.dps.nm.org
NEW YORK
New York Division of Criminal Justice Services, Missing & Exploited
Children
Albany, NY
&nb
sp; 518-457-6326 | Toll Free: 1-800-346-3543 (nationwide)
[email protected] (General E-Mail)
www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us/missing/index.htm
Child Find of America
New Paltz, NY
845-255-1848 | Toll Free: 1-800-I-AM-LOST or 1-800-A-WAY-OUT
[email protected]
www.childfindofamerica.org
The Center for Hope
Ballston Spa, NY
518-884-8761
[email protected]
www.hope4themissing.org
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Center for Missing Persons
Raleigh, NC
919-733-3914 | Toll Free: 1-800-522-5437 (nationwide)
[email protected]
www.ncale.org/missingpersons.html
NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota Clearinghouse for Missing Children, North Dakota Radio
Communication
Bismark, ND
701-328-9921 | Toll Free: 800-472-2121 (in-state only)
[email protected]
www.state.nd.us/radio//clearing.html
OHIO
Missing Children Clearinghouse, Attorney General’s Office, Crime
Victims Services Section
Columbus, OH
614-466-5610 | Toll Free: 800-325-5604 (nationwide)
[email protected]
www.mcc.ag.state.oh.us
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Intelligence Office
Oklahoma City, OK
405-879-2645 | Toll Free: 800-522-8017
[email protected]
www.osbi.state.ok.us
OREGON
Oregon State Police, Missing Children Clearinghouse
Salem, OR
Phone: 1-503-378-3720 | Toll Free: 1-800-282-7155 (in-state only)
[email protected]
www.osp.state.or.us
PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Harrisburg, PA
717-783-0960
[email protected]
www.psp.state.pa.us
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island State Police, Missing & Exploited Children Unit
North Scituate, RI
401-444-1125 | Toll Free: 1-401-444-1124 (in-state only)
[email protected]
www.risp.state.ri.us/MISSING%20CHILDREN.htm
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Missing Person Information
Center
Columbia, SC
803-737-9000 | Toll Free: 800-322-4453 (nationwide)
[email protected]
www.sled.state.sc.us/default/htm
SOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, Division of Criminal
Investigation
Pierre, SD
605-773-3331
[email protected]
http://dci.sd.gov/administration/missingpersons.htm
TENNESSEE
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Intelligence Unit
Nashville, TN
615-744-4000 | Toll Free: 1-800-824-3463
[email protected]
www.tbi.state.tn.us
Commission on Missing and Exploited Children (COMEC)
Memphis, TN
901-405-8441
[email protected]
www.comec.org
TEXAS
Texas Department of Public Safety, Special Crimes Services, Missing
Persons Clearinghouse
Austin, TX
512-424-5074 | Toll Free: 1-800-346-3243 (in-state only)
[email protected]
www.txdps.state.tx.us/mpch
Heidi Search Center
San Antonio, TX
210-650-0428 | Toll Free: 1-800-547-4435
[email protected]
http://heidisearchcenter.com
UTAH
Utah Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Identification
Salt Lake City, UT
801-965-4686 | 801-965-4446 (after hours)
Toll Free: 888-770-6477 (nationwide)
[email protected]
http://bci.utah.gov/MPC/MPCHome.html
VERMONT
Vermont State Police
Waterbury, VT
802-241-5352
www.dps.state.vt.us/vtsp/index_main.html
VIRGINIA
Virginia State Police Department, Missing Children’s Clearinghouses
Richmond, VA
804-674-2000 | 804-674-2026 (24/7 Emergencies only)
Toll Free: 1-800-822-4453
[email protected]
www.vsp.state.va.us/cjis_missing_children.htm
WASHINGTON
Washington State Patrol, Missing Children Clearinghouse
Olympia, WA
Toll Free: 1-800-543-5678 (nationwide)
[email protected]
www.wsp.wa.gov/crime/mcservic.htm
Families and Friends of Missing Persons and Violent Crime Victims
800-346-7555
[email protected]
Operation Lookout: National Center for Missing Youth
Everett, WA
425-771-7335
Toll Free: 800-5688 (LOOKOUT)
Toll Free: 800-782-7335 (SEEK)
[email protected]
www.operationlookout.org
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia State Police, Missing Children Clearinghouse
South Charleston, WV
304-558-1467 | Toll Free: 800-352-0927 (nationwide)
[email protected]
www.wvstatepolice.com/children/children.shtml
WISCONSIN
Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation
Madison, WI
608-266-1671 | Toll Free: 1-800-THE-HOPE (in-state only)
[email protected]
www.doj.state.wi.us
Youth Educated in Safety, Inc.
PO Box 3124
Appleton, WI 54914
920-734-5335 | Toll Free: 1-800-272-7715
[email protected]
www.yeswi.org
A Missing Child is Everyone’s Responsibility, Operation L.A.P.
Foundation, Inc.
Fort Atkinson, WI
Milwaukee: 414-208-8954
Fort Atkinson/Jefferson: 920-674-6960
Wisconsin Center for Missing Children & Adults (WCMCA)
Jefferson, WI
Toll Free: 877-70-5456
24 Hour Crisis: 920-220-1558
[email protected]
www.wcmckids.org
WYOMING
Wyoming Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal
Investigation
Cheyenne, WY
307-777-7537 | Control Terminal: 307-777-7545
[email protected]
www.attorneygeneral.state.wy.us/dci/index.html
Christian Lamb Foundation
Powell, WY
307-754-9261 | 800-651-5262
[email protected]
www.clamb.org
As Time Goes By
You might want to create a web page for your missing person, linking this to other missing person’s pages and, perhaps, organizations for missing persons. Many of the organizations listed in this chapter are good resources for such pages and you can update this information with current Internet searches.
If the local police are out of leads and your loved one remains missing, you will need to manage more of the search yourself. But, after your loved one has been missing for thirty days, the police are legally obligated to enter your loved one’s DNA and dental information into the NCIC database, so you will need to provide this information. You might also need check with the police to make sure t
hat they are following through. Similarly, every year, the police are required to update the file so you might want to renew contact with the police department to make sure that they are doing so.
These systems initiate investigations with coroners and medical examiners to make comparisons with unidentified persons—those who have died and whose bodies have not been identified. For example, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System automatically performs cross-matching comparisons between databases, searching for matches or similarities between unidentified persons and those who have been reported as missing. Anyone can search this database, which uses characteristics such as sex, race and distinct body features as well as dental records, DNA testing, anthropology, and odontology assistance.
Many organizations can help you continue to follow up. We suggest you contact the organizations listed in this chapter to help you further your search. Private investigators are another option and many are starting to specialize in missing person tracking. Regardless of the age of your missing person, do not hesitate to contact NCMEC for referrals and strategy.
Coping
Sometimes, months, years or even decades go by without word from a missing loved one. This is a brutal time to endure. You will run the gamut of emotions, from sadness and hurt to anger and depression—and everything in between. You may lose your appetite and lose weight. You may have trouble sleeping, be unable to concentrate and even be plagued by violent thoughts of hurting yourself or others. Not uncommonly, family members and close friends of missing persons fall into deep depressions, lose their jobs, neglect other loved ones, and undergo unusual behavior changes. So, although it will be very difficult, you will need to take care of yourself so you can stay strong. To this end, you will need to get help in dealing with your emotions.
A variety of doctors, therapists and other resources can help you cope with the loss of a missing loved one. Family, friends and clergy, in addition to medical professionals, have great listening ears and it is a good step in the right direction to talk to others about your emotions and about your missing loved one. What’s more, such consultants can point you to additional help, organizations or professionals whom you might need.