Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The Great American Disaster
At any given time there are hundreds of thousands of missing persons in America. Why do I know that? I spend a lot of time volunteering for the missing person cause. Why? Because twelve years ago one of my daughters ran away from home and was missing for over three months. Think about that for a bit.
Have you ever been in a store and your child disappeared for a few seconds or even a couple of minutes before you found her? If so how did you feel? Did your heart literally try to jump out of your chest? Did you feel like vomiting?
Now imagine that fear, that feeling for three long months. Do you think you would survive? Perhaps you think you might die from anguish. Trust me you won’t you will live, if you can call it that. You won’t sleep at night very much, you won’t really feel like you are yourself.
You won’t want to go anywhere with your friends. You won’t want to leave your home, because if you left your home to go to work, to buy groceries, to get the mail. You might miss the phone call. The call about your child or please god from your child. No matter what their age, no matter how bad your relationship, no matter what, you will live in constant fear until you know that your child is safe. You won’t even care by this time if they come home you just want to know they aren’t dead.
I am speaking frankly about this because it is so unbelievable that the epidemic of the missing has been so hidden and unrecognized in this country. If this many people became ill, it would be all over the news. We would have government involvement. We would see pleas for donations. With the missing we see nothing.Nothing that those of us in the missing person community do not organize, find funding for and beg for others to attend. How can this be?
The missing child issue is well recognized, although it does not receive the media attention that it should there are rules for missing children. There are rules that their information must immediately be entered into the FBI National Crime Information system or NCIC. There are rules that drive the Amber Alert system. Rules that make law enforcement get out and search or ask media to help. Rules that make our telephones ring to announce that there is a child missing in our neighborhood.
For the missing adult there is nothing. Some are unrecognized by law enforcement because…. Adults have the legal right to go missing. This is the very heart of the matter that causes so much negativity and creates so much trouble about missing adults. I also recognize that we have the right to go where ever we want, but how many of us are so hateful that we would just cut and run on our families?
I know that there are those here and there that would do that but the not the magnitude of missing adults that are currently reported to law enforcement and listed as missing at this time. So what are we to do? Who can help?
As of 2009 the Department of Justice opened two databases that list missing persons and unidentified dead. NamUs or the North American Missing and Unidentified Persons System was officially brought online in 2009. This is the first time ever in history that civilians have been able to enter data into a federal law enforcement database.
Families can enter their missing loved ones into the database. A caseworker at NamUs will work with law enforcement to make sure all the case details are correct and that information is entered. There is a program at the University of Northern Texas helps pay for DNA samples that will be entered into the database.
When all the information that can possibly be entered is in the missing person database it and the database for unidentified dead work together concurrently to identify in DNA, Dentals, or fingerprints possible matches.
There is also another upside to this interaction. The caseworker at NamUs will contact the law enforcement officer in charge of the case. Often this will stimulate a new look at the evidence or even cause a cold case to be reopened and information gone over again with new technology.
Don’t get me wrong, this is wonderful progress! This is something that those of us who have worked and volunteered in this field have dreamed of for years. It is a thing of awe and wonder. However, there is still no media coverage. People hardly even know what NamUs is. I have talked to law enforcement officers that don’t know what it is. How can this be possible?
There are a few TV shows that sometimes talk about missing persons. Nancy Grace often mentions specific cases. Beth Holloway has a new show called Vanished which is a huge step in the right direction. We are losing a long time show, America’s Most Wanted is being cancelled and this will be its last season. John Walsh has been a longtime advocate for missing persons.
This however goes back to what I mentioned in the beginning, most of the missing person volunteers or advocates had, have or are related to or know someone who is missing. This remains a sad state of affairs for all of us.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Missing Person Clearing Houses
State Clearinghouses:
ALABAMA
Alabama Bureau of Investigation / Missing Children
PO Box 1511
Montgomery, AL 36102-1511
Phone: 1-800-228-7688
Fax: 1-334-353-2563
Email: info@dps.state.al.us
Website: www.dps.alabama.gov/abiALASKA
Alaska State Troopers
Missing Persons Clearinghouse
5700 E. Tudor Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone: 1-907-269-5497
Toll Free: 1-800-478-9333 (in-state only)
Fax: 1-907-338-7243
Email: 74431.124@compuserve.com
Website: www.dps.state.ak.us/astARIZONA
Arizona Department of Public Safety
Criminal Investigations Research Unit
PO Box 6638
Phoenix, AZ 85005
Phone: 1-602-223-2158
Fax: 1-602-223-2911
Email: 74431.127@compuserve.com
Website: www.dps.state.az.us
Street Address: 2102 W. Encanto Blvd.ARKANSAS
Office of Attorney General
Missing Children Services Program
323 Center Street, Ste. 1100
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 1-501-682-1020
Toll Free: 1-800-448-3014 (in-state only)
Fax: 1-501-682-6704
Email: 74431.126@compuserve.com
Website: www.ag.state.ar.usCALIFORNIA
California Department of Justice
Missing/Unidentified Persons Unit
PO Box 903387
Sacramento, CA 94203-3870
Phone: 1-916-227-3290
Toll Free: 1-800-222-3463 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-916-227-3270
Email: missing.persons@doj.ca.gov
Website: http://ag.ca.gov/missing
Street Address:
4949 Broadway, Rm. B216
Sacramento, CA 95820COLORADO
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Missing Person/Children Unit
710 Kipling St., Suite 200
Denver, CO 80215
Phone: 1-303-239-4251
Fax: 1-303-239-5788
Email: Kristina.koellner@cdps.state.co.us
Website: http://cbi.state.co.usCONNECTICUT
Connecticut State Police
Missing Persons
PO Box 2794
Middletown, CT 06457-9294
Phone: 1-860-685-8190
Emergency Mssg: 1-860-685-8190
Toll Free: 1-800-367-5678 (in-state only)
Fax: 1-860-685-8346
Email: DPS.Feedback@po.state.ct.us
Website: www.state.ct.us/dps/csp.htm
Street Address:
1111 Country Club Rd.
Middletown, CT 06457-9294DELAWARE
Delaware State Police
State Bureau of Identification
1407 N. DuPont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19903
Phone: 1-302-739-5883
Fax: 1-302-739-5888
Email: 74431.133@compuserve.com
Website: www.state.de.us/dsp/sbi.htm#MISSINGDISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
D.C. Metropolitan Police Department
Missing Persons/ Youth Division
1700 Rhode Island Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20018
Phone: 1-202-576-6768
Fax: 1-202-576-6561
Email: 74431.132@compuserve.com
Website: http://mpdc.dc.gov/main.shtmFLORIDA
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Missing Children Information Clearinghouse
PO Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302
Phone: 1-850-410-8585
Toll Free: 1-888-356-4774 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-850-410-8599
Email: mcic@fdle.state.fl.us
Website: www.fdle.state.fl.us
Street Address:
2331 Phillips Rd.
Tallahassee, FL 32308GEORGIA
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Intelligence Unit
PO Box 370808
Decatur, GA 30037
Phone: 1-404-244-2554
Toll Free: 1-800-282-6564 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-404-244-2798
Email: emily.sears@gbi.state.ga.us
Website: www.ganet.org/gbi
Street Address:
3121 Panthersville Road
Decatur, GA 30034HAWAII
Missing Child Center � Hawaii
Department of the Attorney General
State Office Tower
235 S. Beretania Street, Suite 206
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 1-808-586-1449
Hotline: 1-808-753-9797
1-800-468-4644 ext. 6-1449 (Neighbor Isle)
Fax: 1-808-586-1424
Email: hsc@hgea.org
Website: http://launch.hgea.org/hscIDAHO
Idaho State Police Special Programs Unit
Missing Persons Clearinghouse
PO Box 700
Meridian, ID 83680-0700
Phone: 1-208-884-7154
Toll Free: 1-888-777-3922 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-208-884-7193
Email: idmpc@isp.state.id.us
Website: www.isp.state.id.us/identification/missing/index.html
Street Address:
700 South Stratford Drive
Meridian, ID 83642ILLINOIS
Illinois State Police
500 Iles Park Place, Suite 104
Springfield, IL 62703-2982
Phone: 1-217-785-4341
Toll Free: 1-800-843-5763 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-217-785-6793
Email: missing@isp.state.il.us
Website: www.isp.state.il.usINDIANA
Indiana State Police
Indiana Missing Children Clearinghouse
100 North Senate Avenue
Third Floor
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2259
Phone: 1-317-232-8310
Toll Free: 1-800-831-8953 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-317-233-3057
Email: isp@isp.state.in.us
Website: www.state.in.us/ispIOWA
Missing Person Information Clearinghouse
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
DPS Building
215 E 7th St
Des Moines, IA 50319-0041
Phone: 1-515-725-6036
Toll Free: 1-800-346-5507 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-515-725-6020
Email: mason@dps.state.ia.us
Website: http://www.iowaonline.state.ia.us/mpic/KANSAS
Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Missing Persons Clearinghouse
1620 S.W. Tyler Street
Topeka, KS 66612-1838
Phone: 1-785-296-8200
Toll Free: 1-800-572-7463 (nationwide � this is not for missing persons activities)
Fax: 1-785-296-6781
Email: 74431.140@compuserve.com
Website: www.accesskansas.org/kbi/mp.htmKENTUCKY
Kentucky State Police
200 Mero Street, Room 127
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 1-502-564-1020
Toll Free: 1-800-543-7723 (nationwide) or 800-KIDS SAF
Fax: 1-502-564-5315
Email: 74431.141@compuserve.com
Website: www.kentuckystatepolice.orgLOUISIANA
Louisiana Department of Social Services
Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children
Office of Community Services
PO Box 3318
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
1-225-342-8631
Fax: 1-225-342-9087
Email: 74431.142@compuserve.com
Website: www.dss.state.la.us
Street Address:
333 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802MAINE
Maine State Police
Missing Children Clearinghouse
1 Darcie St., Suite 208
Houlton, ME 04730
Phone: 1-207-532-5404
Fax: 1-207-532-5455
Email: 74431.145@compuserve.com
Website: www.state.me.us/dps/msp/msp.htmMARYLAND
Maryland Center for Missing Children
Maryland State Police � Computer Crimes Unit
1201 Reisterstown Rd.
Pikesville, MD 21208
Phone: 1-410-290-1620
Toll Free: 1-800-637-5437 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-410-290-1831
TTY 410-486-0677 (deaf or hard of hearing)
Email: marylandch@ncmec.org
Website: http://ccu.mdsp.org/mcmc.htmMASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts State Police
Missing Persons Unit
470 Worchester Rd.
Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: 1-508-820-2129
Toll Free: 1-800-622-5999 (in-state only)
Fax: 1-508-820-2128
Email: 74431.143@compuserve.com
Website: www.state.ma.us/mspMICHIGAN
Michigan State Police
Prevention Services Unit
714 S. Harrison Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: 1-517-333-4006 2521 (information)
24 hours emergency: 1-517-336-6100
Fax: 1-517-333-4115
Email: 76711.3052@compuserve.com
Website: www.michigan.gov/mspMINNESOTA
Minnesota State Clearinghouse
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
1430 Maryland Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106-2802
Phone: 1-651-793-1107
Fax: 1-651-793-1100
Email: 74431.146@compuserve.com
Website: www.dps.state.mn.us/bca/bca.htmlMISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Highway Patrol
Criminal Information Center
3891 Highway 486 West
Pearl, MS 39208
Phone: 1-601-933-2659
Fax: 1-601-933-2677
Email: 74431.150@compuserve.com
Website: www.dps.state.ms.us.dps/dps.nsf/main?OpenFormMISSOURI
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Missing Persons Unit
Division of Drug and Crime Control
PO Box 568
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 1-573-526-6178
Toll Free: 1-800-877-3452 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-573-526-5577
Email: missourich@ncmec.org
Website: www.mshp.state.mo.usMONTANA
Montana Department of Justice
Missing / Unidentified Persons
PO Box 201402
303 N. Roberts St., Room 471
Helena, MT 59620-1402
Phone: 1-406-444-1526
Fax: 1-406-444-4453
Email: contactdoj@state.mt.us
Website: www.doj.state.mt.usNEBRASKA
Nebraska Missing Persons Clearinghouse
Nebraska State Patrol
Intelligence and Criminal Analysis Division
PO Box 94907
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone Toll-Free: 1-877-441-5678
Phone Local: 1-402-479-4986
Fax: 1-402-479-4950
Email: missingpersons@nebraska.gov
Website: www.nsp.state.ne.us/missingpersonsNEVADA
Nevada Office of the Attorney General
Missing Children Clearinghouse
555 E. Washington Ave., Suite 3900
Las Vegas, NV 89101-6208
Phone: 1-702-486-3539
Toll Free: 1-800-992-0900 (in-state only)
Fax: 1-702-486-3768
Email: NEVADACH@ncmec.org
Website: http://ag.state.nv.us/Divisions/Fraudunits/
MissingKids/miss_kids.htmNEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire State Police
Investigative Services Bureau
Major Crime Unit
91 Airport Rd.
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 1-603-271-2663
Toll Free: 1-800-852-3411 (in-state only)
24 hour referral: 1-603-271-3636
Fax: 1-603-271-2520
Email: missingpersons@safety.state.nh.us
Website: www.nh.gov/safety/nhspNEW JERSEY
New Jersey State Police
Unidentified Persons Unit
PO Box 7068
W. Trenton, NJ 08628
Phone: 1-609-882-2000 ext 2894
Toll Free: 1-800-709-7090 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-609-882-2719
TRAK#: 1-609-538-0513
Email: missingp@gw.njsp.org
Website: www.njsp.org/miss/mpu.html
Street Address:
River Road
W. Trenton, NJ 08628NEW MEXICO
New Mexico Department of Public Safety
Attn: Law Enforcement Records
PO Box 1628
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1628
Phone: 1-505-827-9193
Fax: 1-505-827-3388
Email: missingpersons@dps.state.mn.us
Website: www.dps.nm.orgNEW YORK
New York Division of Criminal Justice Services
Missing & Exploited Children
4 Tower Place
Albany, NY 12203
Phone: 1-518-457-6326
Toll Free: 1-800-346-3543 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-518-457-6965
Email: missingchildren@dcjs.state.ny.us (General E-Mail)
Website: www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us/missing/index.htmNORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Center for Missing Persons
4706 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4706
Phone: 1-919-733-3914
Toll Free: 1-800-522-5437 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-919-715-1682
Email: pstewart@ncale.org
Website: www.ncale.org/missingpersons.html
Street Address:
430 N. Salisbury St., Suite 2015
Raleigh, NC 27603NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota Clearinghouse for Missing Children
North Dakota Radio Communication
Fraine Barracks
PO Box 5511
Bismark, ND 58502
Phone: 1-701-328-9921
Toll Free: 1-800-472-2121 (in-state only)
Fax: 1-701-328-9926
Email: rhessing@pioneer.state.nd.us
Website: www.state.nd.us/radio//clearing.htmlOHIO
Missing Children Clearinghouse
Attorney General�s Office
Crime Victims Services Section
150 E. Gay Street, 25th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-4231
Phone: 1-614-466-5610
Toll Free: 1-800-325-5604 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-614-728-9536
Email: 74431.161@compuserve.com
Website: www.mcc.ag.state.oh.usOKLAHOMA
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Intelligence Office
6600 N. Harvey St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Phone: 1-405-879-2645
Toll Free: 1-800-522-8017
Phone: 1-703-522-9320 (no 800 access)
Fax: 1-405-879-2967
Email: 74431.162@compuserve.com
Website: www.osbi.state.ok.usOREGON
Oregon State Police
Missing Children Clearinghouse
400 Public Service Building
Salem, OR 97310
Phone: 1-503-378-3720
Phone: 1-503-378-3725 ext 4412
Toll Free: 1-800-282-7155 (in-state only)
Fax: 1-503-363-5475
Page: 1-503-361-1935
Email: 74431.163@compuserve.com
Website: www.osp.state.or.usPENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania State Police
Bureau of Criminal Investigation
1800 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: 1-717-783-0960
Fax: 1-717-705-2306
Email: 744431.164@compuserve.com
Website: www.psp.state.pa.usRHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island State Police
Missing & Exploited Children Unit
311 Danielson Pike
North Scituate, RI 02857
Phone: 1-401-444-1125
Toll Free: 1-401-444-1124 (in-state only)
Fax: 1-401-444-1133
Email: 74431.165@compuserve.com
Website: www.risp.state.ri.us/MISSING%20CHILDREN.htmSOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Missing Person Information Center
PO Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
Phone: 1-803-737-9000
Toll Free: 1-800-322-4453 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-803-896-7595
Email: 74331.166@compuserve.com
Website: www.sled.state.sc.us/default/htm
Street Address:
4400 Broad River RoadSOUTH DAKOTA
South Dakota Attorney General�s Office
Division of Criminal Investigation
East Highway 34
c/o 500 East Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 1-605-773-3331
Fax: 1-605-773-4629
Email: 74431.167@compuserve.com
Website: http://dci.sd.gov/administration/missingpersons.htmTENNESSEE
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Intelligence Unit
901 R.S. Gass Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: 1-615-744-4000
Toll Free: 1-800-824-3463
Fax: 1-615-744-4655
Email: 74431.170@compuserve.com
Website: www.tbi.state.tn.usTEXAS
Texas Department of Public Safety
Special Crimes Services
Missing Persons Clearinghouse
PO Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773-0422
Phone: 1-512-424-5074
Toll Free: 1-800-346-3243 (in-state only)
Fax: 1-512-424-2885
Email: 74431.171@compuserve.com
Website: www.txdps.state.tx.us/mpch
Street Address:
6100 Guadalupe, Building E
Austin, TX 78752UTAH
Utah Department of Public Safety
Bureau of Criminal Identification
3888 W. 5400 South
PO Box 148280
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-8280
Phone: 1-801-965-4686
Phone: 1-801-965-4446 (after hours)
Toll Free: 1-888-770-6477 (nationwide)
Email: 105374.2257@compuserve.com
Website: http://bci.utah.gov/MPC/MPCHome.htmlVERMONT
Vermont State Police
103 S. Main St.
Waterbury, VT 05671
Phone: 1-802-241-5352
Fax: 1-802-241-5349
Website: www.dps.state.vt.us/vtsp/index_main.htmlVIRGINIA
Virginia State Police Department
Missing Children�s Clearinghouses
PO Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
Phone: 1-804-674-2000
Phone: 1-804-674-2026 (24/7 Emergencies only)
Toll Free: 1-800-822-4453
Fax: 1-804-674-2105
Email: pfagan@vsp.state.va.us
Website: www.vsp.state.va.us/cjis_missing_children.htmWASHINGTON
Washington State Patrol
Missing Children Clearinghouse
PO Box 2347
Olympia, WA 98507-2347
Toll Free: 1-800-543-5678 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-360-664-2156
Email: 74431.173@compuserve.com
Website: www.wsp.wa.gov/crime/mcservic.htmWEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia State Police
Missing Children Clearinghouse
725 Jefferson Rd.
South Charleston, WV 25309-1698
Phone: 1-304-558-1467
Toll Free: 1-800-352-0927 (nationwide)
Fax: 1-304-558-1470
Email: MISSINGCHILDREN@wvsp.state.wv.us
Website: www.wvstatepolice.com/children/children.shtmlWISCONSIN
Wisconsin Department of Justice
Division of Criminal Investigation
PO Box 7857
Madison, WI 53701-2718
Phone: 1-608-266-1671
Toll Free: 1-800-THE-HOPE (in-state only)
Fax: 1-608-267-2777
Email: wimissingchild@doj.state.wi.us
Website: www.doj.state.wi.us
Street Address:
17 W. Main St.
Madison, WI 53702WYOMING
Wyoming Office of the Attorney General
Division of Criminal Investigation
316 W. 22nd St.
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 1-307-777-7537
Control Terminal: 1-307-777-7545
Fax: 1-307-777-7252
Email: 74431.174@compuserve.com
Website: http://attorneygeneral.state.wy.us/dci/index.html
Friday, May 6, 2011
Help Us Find Jesse Ross
Jesse Ross's story will be featured on Vanished (the new Beth Holloway show) On June 22
Help Us Find Jesse Ross
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
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