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Missing Children

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Missing & Exploited Children Clearinghouse

1-800-Find-Kid (1-800-346-3543)

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The DCJS Missing Child/College Student Alert Program

When a missing child or college student is deemed to be endangered, but the case does not meet AMBER Alert activation criteria, an alternative alert system is available.

Known as a Missing Child/College Student Alert, information can be distributed electronically to every police agency in New York State, NYS Thruway travel plazas and toll barriers, broadcasters, airports, bus terminals, AMTRAK train stations, border crossings and Alert subscribers and others within minutes. AMBER Alert and Missing Child/College Student Alert activation regions are identical. Information is also placed on the DCJS and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) web sites.

Unlike an AMBER Alert, radio and television station managers decide if and when to broadcast Missing Child/College Student Alert information. Also, highway variable message signs and Lottery terminal displays are not activated. While the maximum length of time for an AMBER Alert is eight hours, a Missing Child/College Student Alert can remain active for up to 14 days.

Requests for a Missing Child/College Student Alert must be made by the police agency investigating a disappearance by contacting the NYS DCJS Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse (MECC) at 1-800-FIND-KID. Also, requests are sent to MECC by the New York State Police, whenever and AMBER Alert request has been denied. MECC handles all responsibilities, including selection of activation regions and electronic dissemination of posters.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO DURING AN ALERT ?

• Note Alert details and be observant
• Immediately call police or 911 with any information that may help to locate the child.
• Provide specific details such as: the exact location and time of the sighting; descriptions of the child(ren), accomplice(s) and automobile(s); and direction of travel.
• Do not take action which could endanger your safety or escalate danger to the abducted child.