National Missing Children’s Day: Heartbreaking Stories You Must Hear

National Missing Children's Day Summary

National Missing Children's Day on May 25th highlights child safety. It also honors the professionals dedicated to protecting children across the country.

#MissingChildrensDay

Most missing children return home. Many wander off or are involved in misunderstandings, but they usually find their way back.

The Polly Klaas Foundation reports that 99.8 percent of missing children return. Of those abducted, 9 percent are taken by a family member. Stranger abductions are rare. Yet, if one child is affected, it is too many.

Protecting Your Children

Today honors those who excel in protecting children and offers resources to keep kids safe daily. Important steps include:

• Maintain custody documents.
• Keep recent photos of your children.
• Keep fingerprints on file.
• Update medical and dental records.
• Monitor online activity.
• Set rules for who your child interacts with.
• Know your child’s whereabouts.
• Meet the parents of your child’s friends.
• Check caregivers' backgrounds.
• Don’t leave young children unattended.
• Avoid clothing with children’s names on it.
• Teach your child their address and phone number early.
• Get to know your child's friends.
• Plan public gatherings with your child and their friends, inviting their parents too.

Support Missing Children Organizations

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children
• Office of Children's Issues
• Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team

National Missing Children's Day History

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared National Missing Children's Day, recognizing the many children who go missing each year. This date marks the disappearance of six-year-old Etan Patz in New York City on May 25, 1979. His case brought significant media attention and highlighted the need for better responses to child abductions.

What to Do if a Child is Missing

In the first 24 hours:

• Report the child missing immediately.
• Ensure the child is listed in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) Missing Persons File.
• Request a BOLO (Be On The Look Out).
• Preserve the scene if the child was taken from home.
• Keep contact details of the investigator.
• Provide detailed information about the child’s disappearance.
• List friends, family, teachers, and anyone who might have information.
• Inform authorities of recent visitors to your home.
• Distribute recent photos of your child.
• Call 800-THE-LOST for photo distribution help.
• Gather contact information for supportive nonprofits.
• Organize a search party with authorities' help.
• Keep a record of incoming and outgoing calls.
• Find a support system and take care of yourself.

May 25th Celebrated History

1935: Babe Ruth hits his final home run, setting a record that stood until 1974. 1940: Scientists test penicillin, saving mice injected with a deadly dose. 1977: The film Star Wars opens in U.S. theaters. 1986: Hands Across America raises $15 million for hunger.

May 25th Celebrated Birthdays

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803): Poet and Transcendentalist. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878): Legendary tap dancer and entertainer. Caro Crawford Brown (1908): Investigative reporter who earned a Pulitzer Prize. Frank Oz (1944): Performer known for creating beloved characters.