According to the California Office of the Attorney General, “a missing person is someone whose whereabouts is unknown to the reporting party."

"This includes any child who may have run away, been taken involuntarily or may be in need of assistance.  It includes a child illegally taken, held or hidden by a parent or non-parent family member (See California Penal Code Sections 277-280).”

There is no waiting period for reporting a person missing.

If your child is missing, act quickly.  If your child is missing from home, search the house.  Check all closets, piles of laundry, in or under all beds, inside old refrigerators or wherever a child may hide.

If you are still unable to locate your child, notify your local police department immediately.

If your child disappears in a store, notify the store manger and/or the security office.  Contact the police immediately thereafter.

When you call the police, be prepared to provide the following information about your child:

• Name

• Date of birth

• Height

• Weight

• Description of the clothing your child was wearing when he or she went missing

• Any other unique identifiers such as eyeglasses and braces

• The exact time you noticed your child missing

Photographs are an excellent way to identify a missing person.  If possible, provide a current photograph of the missing person to assist police in their investigation.