Ohio might still have a long way to go when it comes to working with it’s younger citizens but, the Ohio Attorney General’s website has created several helpful avenues for the older to reach out to for ways to figure it out.
It was 1993 when the Ohio General Assembly passed into law Amended Senate Bill 63, which created the Ohio Missing Children Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse), opening the way for better organization of assisting in finding our missing children.
The Ohio A.G. website has information on those Clearinghouse reports going back to 2006 with the toll free hotline, (800) 325-5604, which provides nationwide access, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, including holidays. Clearinghouse staff members answer the hotline Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) staff members staff it after hours, and on weekends and holidays.
Along with those yearly reports, you can also find:
- · Pictures and information for the missing adults and children
- · Resource links regarding missing persons
- · Information on the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy
- · A missing persons checklist
- · Report a missing person
- · Can submit a missing person tip
This website is a great source for information. That info includes material on the National Runaway Switchboard, the Association of Missing and Exploited Children’s Organization; A Child is Missing, NAMUS and Team Hope; among other equally important associations like Central Ohio Rescue and Restore.
You can sign up for AmberAlerts, Endangered Missing Child Alerts, see just what the responsibilities of law enforcement are if someone is reported missing, find fingerprint identification cards and game sheets and sign up for training sessions on child safety, reunification and learn about human trafficking.
There is so much information to be had at the fingertips that it inspires many to visit at least once a year for ideas: National Missing Children’s Day.
National Missing Children’s Day is held each May 25th and through out the entire month, many schools, churches and other organizations will hold an assortment of events centered on child safety and memorials for those who are still missing.
Ohio can always be better, of course, but it is good to see our state trying.
With the Ohio Missing Persons Unit collaborating with others like Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition, I-Search and NAMUS; it really shows people are finally ‘getting it’.
Sources: http://www.ohio.com/news/balloon-release-honors-ohio-s-690-missing-children-1.400327 [AP]; OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov
