Runaways

What should you do if your child runs away? Also runaways aftercare.

What should you do if your child runs away:

1. CALL your local law enforcement agency.

THERE IS NO 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD! Report your child as a runaway/missing person and have them list the child's name and date of birth with the National Crime Information Center. The police may need the following:

a description of your child and what he/she was last wearing
a description of any distinguishable marks such as tattoos, piercings, or birthmarks
if they took their own car, write down a description and license plate number
if they have run away before, where did they go?
write down their cell phone or pager number for the investigators
a list of places (and their addresses) that the child often frequents

2. CALL the National Runaway Switchboard at 800-621-4000.

This is a 24-hour-a-day confidential telephone service for both parents and runaways. Services include crisis intervention, information, referrals, and the Home Free program in partnership with Greyhound Lines, Inc. Leave a message for your child with the NRS.

3. CONTACT Operation Lookout at 800-782-7335.

It is a 24-hour help line if a request for a missing persons report is denied by the police. Operation Lookout will fax, e-mail or mail a registration packet to you. They will design a color poster for you that you can distribute. They will also make a determination about placing your child's picture on the internet and Missing Child "E"LERT System.

4. TELL others about your child missing.

Contact your ex-spouse, your child's friends, their parents, and the school officials. Call his/her friends multiple times to get information.

5. INSTALL a Caller ID

Install a Caller ID on your telephone.

6. LEAVE A MESSAGE on your message machine

Leave a message on your home message machine especially for your child. Reassure him/her that you love him/her unconditionally.

7. CONTACT your child's employer

Find out if your child has missed work shifts or has suddenly quit his/her job.

8. CHECK RECENT COMMUNICATIONS

Check your child's cell phone bills and e-mails (and any other internet contacts) for clues of persons with whom he/she has had contact recently. Also check credit card activity.

9. TAKE CARE

Take care of yourself and your other children. Turn to people you know and trust for support.

10. GET SUPPORT

CONTACT hotlines for parents of missing children and get support.

Aftercare:

Any child who has run away repeatedly should be referred to a mental-health professional. There must be underlying reasons that have caused the runaway behavior. Running away is always a cry for help and the issues must be confronted and resolved. Sometimes it is necessary to place a child in a Specialty Boarding School or Residential Treatment Center for long-term behavior modification and therapeutic intervention.