http://blog.missingkids.com/post/97300568180/a-letter-to-our-missing-daughter-morgan-nick
Recent revisions by Arkansas State Police will include more social media communication and a name change to Arkansas Amber Alert Plan.
On first impression when the news of this revision came up, I thought they'd be changing some of the guidelines. However, I quickly came to realize, they're not doing that.
The revision stops at the addition of social media and modern technology along with the name change. Arkansas State Police stated they will continue to follow Amber Alert Guidelines in all missing children cases.
In order for a missing child to "qualify" for an Amber Alert, the following criteria (which is more detailed on the link above) must be met.
1. An abduction confirmed by Law Enforcement
2. The child is at risk of serious bodily injury or death
3. Descriptive Information on the child, abductor and vehicle
However, the Amber Alert guidelines are "recommendations" according to the site. Which means each state or jurisdiction should have the option to create their own guidelines or criteria.
What changes would you like to see in the current way of handling missing children? What other criteria or recommendations would you make to Law Enforcement to potentially increase the number of missing children found alive?
When I look at the criteria, I see large gray area. Since last Saturday 2/17/2018, a 5 year old boy, Lucas Hernandez has been missing from his Wichita home. While this case has news coverage, there was never an Amber Alert sent out for this child.
Skipping to criteria #2 "A child at risk of injury or death", it doesn't make sense to me that no Amber Alert was sent out. Any 5 year old child, lost without his shoes, without his coat, in February - is at risk. Period.
Another point here. When is a 5 year old, lost, missing, NOT at risk? They're always at risk. If he left the home alone, he was not only at risk of exposure, but also at risk of being abducted.
I realize there are rumors of alleged abuse in the case of Lucas Hernandez but it is alleged.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W8YO5mJcfo
US Daily - YouTube
When I look back at the case of Liberty German and Abigail Williams (Libby and Abby), I also see #2 as "qualification" enough. It was also February and whether or not rumors are true, one or both of these girls could have died of exposure. The weather alone put them at risk.
I could list case after case where many of us have seen missing children on the news but never received an Amber Alert. It seems to me Law Enforcement has a narrow view of the criteria by failing to recognize that being lost and the weather itself is a risk of injury or death.
