Originally published May 12, 2018. Updated August 18, 2026.
Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that your child is missing. For families facing this frightening reality, the first hours can be critical. Knowing who to contact, what information to provide, and how to spread accurate information can help support the search for a missing child.
The video above, created by the Polly Klaas Foundation, illustrates how quickly an ordinary day can become a family’s worst nightmare—and why public awareness can play an important role when a child disappears.
Missing-child cases can involve many different circumstances. Whatever the situation, parents and caregivers should act immediately, work closely with law enforcement, and make sure information shared with the public is accurate and current.
What Should You Do Immediately When a Child Is Missing?
If you believe your child is missing, contact local law enforcement immediately. Be prepared to provide a recent photograph and important identifying information, including the child’s full name, age, height, weight, clothing, distinguishing features, and the location and time they were last seen.
Parents and caregivers should not delay reporting a missing child while attempting to conduct an extended search on their own. Law enforcement can determine the appropriate response and help coordinate the collection and distribution of information.
Contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
After contacting law enforcement, families can also contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC works with families, law enforcement, and other organizations in cases involving missing and exploited children.
NCMEC’s 24-hour hotline is 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
When speaking with authorities or NCMEC, provide accurate information and a recent, clear photograph of the child. Keeping this information readily available can help authorities and organizations distribute reliable information quickly.
A clear, recent photograph can be one of the most important tools for helping the public recognize a missing child. When authorities approve public distribution, missing-child posters can place the child’s face in front of people who might otherwise never know that the child is missing.
Posters should contain accurate identifying information and clear instructions explaining whom to contact with information. Families should coordinate with law enforcement and established missing-child organizations before publicly sharing sensitive details.
Social media can greatly expand the reach of a missing-child alert, but information should be shared responsibly. Whenever possible, share the original poster or information from law enforcement, NCMEC, or another verified source rather than creating altered versions that could contain outdated or incorrect information.
Missing Children and the Risk of Exploitation
Children can go missing for many different reasons, and it is important not to assume that every missing-child case involves abduction or human trafficking. However, missing and vulnerable children can face serious risks of exploitation, which is one reason a rapid and coordinated response is so important.
Parents and caregivers should provide investigators with any information that could be relevant, including unusual communications, online contacts, changes in behavior, or other circumstances surrounding the disappearance. Potential evidence such as messages, emails, photographs, and online communications should be preserved rather than deleted.
If you receive information about a missing child or believe you have seen one, report it to the appropriate authorities. Do not attempt to investigate, confront, or recover a child yourself.
Resources for Families of Missing Children
Knowing what to do before an emergency occurs can help parents and caregivers respond more quickly if a child disappears. Photo Find MCC has additional resources explaining the immediate steps families can take and how accurate missing-child information can be shared with the public.
Read our What to Do When a Child Goes Missing: 10 Immediate Steps guide for a more detailed response plan.
You can also learn what information should be included on a missing child poster and how to make public information clear, accurate, and useful.
Help Keep Missing Children’s Faces Visible
Photo Find MCC works to raise awareness about missing and exploited children and to help bring missing-child photographs and information before more people. A photograph seen by the right person can potentially lead to information that helps authorities with a case.
You can help by sharing verified missing-child information responsibly, encouraging businesses and community organizations to display authorized posters, and supporting Photo Find MCC’s awareness and poster-distribution efforts.