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Bringing them home: for 40 years, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has been helping to locate missing children
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a total of 15 children have been reported missing in the United States since July 1, 2024. It’s important to note that this number doesn’t account for the children who have gone missing in Missouri since June 2024.
The rise of missing children cases in Missouri
As of September 2023, there were 700 cases of missing children, with 475 of those cases reported in the same year. It’s worth noting that some of the missing children are classified as runaways, which is defined under Missouri law as a missing child. The definition of a missing person, as stated in § 43.400, RSMo 2023, is applicable in this scenario.
(a) Is physically or mentally disabled to the degree that the person is dependent upon an agency or another individual;
(b) Is missing under circumstances indicating that the missing person’s safety may be in danger;
(c) Is missing under involuntary or unknown circumstances; subject to the provisions of (a), (b), (d), (e), and (f) of this subsection;
(d) Is a child or juvenile runaway from the residence of a parent, legal guardian, or custodian;
(e) Is a child and is missing under circumstances indicating that the person was or is in the presence of or under the control of a party whose presence or control was or is in violation of a permanent or temporary court order and fourteen or more days have elapsed, during which time the party has failed to file any pleading with the court seeking modification of the permanent or temporary court order;
(f) Is missing under circumstances indicating that the person was or is in the presence of or under the control of a party whose presence or control was or is in violation of a permanent or temporary court order and there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person may be taken outside of the United States; …
You can view the picture posters and additional information of the seven missing children by clicking on their names listed below.
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- Jewely Clark, age 16, has been missing from Fulton, Missouri since June 7, 2024
- Kenneth Savage, age 15, has been missing from Republic, Missouri since June 14, 2024.
- Mikylee Shotts, age 16, has been missing from Willard, Missouri since June 16, 2024.
- Micah Corbett, age 16, has been missing from Ironton, Missouri since June 20, 2024.
- Edward Irwin, age 15, has been missing from Poplar Bluff, Missouri since June 16, 2024.
- Matthew Harvey, age 15, has been missing from Republic, Missouri since June 24, 2024.
- Darrion Dickerson, age 16, has been missing from St. Louis, Missouri since June 26, 2024.
The NCMEC is a critical resource for Missouri families
The NCMEC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that has a sincere aim to locate missing children through collaboration with families and law enforcement. This organization has a dual purpose of preventing abductions and recovering missing children while simultaneously striving to put an end to child sexual exploitation.
The organization has established regional offices in New York, Texas, and Florida, providing a multitude of information and resources on their website. Additionally, the website offers insights into Code Adam, a program co-founded by John and Revé Walsh following the tragic murder of their 6-year-old son in Florida.
Professionals involved in public safety and child welfare can benefit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) in-person and online training, technical assistance, and resources. The NCMEC offers a range of support to help these professionals better serve and protect children in their communities.
In the last 40 years, we’ve received more than 5 million calls with more than 426,000 missing children recovered.
The NCMEC’s call center operates 24 hours a day and can be reached at 1-800-843-5678. Their website is an exceptional and all-inclusive resource, and the organization also accepts donations.
