"What to do" Checklist for Parents/Guardians.
- Make a careful search of your home and surrounding property.
- Check with playmates.
- Check favourite play areas.
- Call all friends, neighbours and relatives.
- Call or visit the Police. Be prepared to give the following information:
- Full physical description.
- Birthmarks or other marks of identification.
- Most recent photograph.
- Fingerprint record card.
- Description of clothing worn at time of disappearance.
- Medical problems.
- Recent problems at home, school, with playmates, etc.
- Possible/probable abduction by spouse or former spouse.
- Possible runaway.
- Favourite clothes, possessions missing?
- If possible abduction by parent, does child have his/her own passport? Or is the child recorded on the passport of a parent?
Preventing Runaways
Recognizing the Signs
- Experiencing a family crises, such as divorce, death in the family, etc. and has no one to talk to.
- Copes with conflict or stress by fleeing.
- Feels he/she is a burden to friends and family.
- Friends have run away.
- Friends live away from home.
- Repeated truancy.
- Threatens to run away.
Advise of the Hazards
- Loss of family aid.
- Lack of money, food, clothing, and a place to live.
- Loss of friends.
- Being robbed, assaulted, or raped.
- Incarceration.
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