Facts & Stats

An estimated 2,300 children are missing every day in the United States. Missing children can victims of family abduction, non-family abduction, or they can be runaways.

Family/Parental Abductions
An estimated 203,900 children were victims of a family abduction in 1999. A family abduction occurs when a family member takes or keeps a child in violation of the custodial parent's/guardian's legitimate rights.

Family/Parental abduction findings:

78% of abductors are the non-custodial parent

35% of children were between 6-11 years old

24% of the abductions lasted between 1 week and 1 month

82% of abductors intended to affect custody permanently

21 % are other relatives

42% of children were living with a single parent

15% were living with another relative/foster parent

66% were taken by a male relative

Reasons why family members become abductors:

They are dissatisfied with custody decision in court

They have been denied visitation for not paying child support

They are protecting the child and/or themselves from abuse

They are angry with the break-up of the relationship

They are angry with the other parent's new partner/lifestyle

Non-Family Abductions and Stereotypical Kidnappings

An estimated 58,200 children were victims of a non-family abduction in 1999. Non-family abductions occur when someone who is not a relative abducts and detains a child without lawful authority or parental permission with the intention to keep the child permanently. In 1999 there were also 115 stereotypical kidnappings. A stereotypical kidnapping occurs when a stranger or slight acquaintance transports a child 50 miles or more from home and either kills the child, holds the child for ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.

Non-family abduction and stereotypical kidnapping findings:

81% were 12 years old or older in non-family cases

58% were 12 years old or older in stereotypical kidnappings

In 40% of stereotypical kidnappings, the child was killed

In another 4%, the child was not recovered

86% of the perpetrators are male

The abducted children are predominantly female

Nearly half of all victims were sexually assaulted

Runaways

Over 1.5 million children had a runaway or throwaway episode in 1999. Runaway cases occur when a child of 14 years or less leaves home without permission for at least one night. For older children, a runaway is defined as a child who stay out for at least two nights. Throwaway episodes occur when a parent or other household adult tells a child to leave the house without arranging alternative care and prevents the child from returning home.

Runaway/throwaway findings:

Two-thirds of children are between 15 and 17 years old

The male-female ratio is equal

More than half returned home in the same week

99% return home

21% are physically or sexually abused at home

Why children run away from home:

42% have family problems

14% because of peer pressure

5% because of drug or alcohol abuse

4% because of physical abuse

Child Find of America Inc. is a national not-for-profit organization that locates missing children through active investigation and publicity, prevents child abduction through education, and prevents/resolves incidents of parental abduction through conflict management and mediation.

1-800-I-AM-LOST 1-800-A-WAY-OUT