|
|
In Case Your Child Disappears
As a parent, there is nothing worse than the disappearance of your child. Silence envelops the house and fills your heart while you pray for your child’s safe return.
If your child goes missing, time is of the essence.
It is essential to establish as quickly as possible what possibly could have happened. Did the child get lost? Was he in an accident? Abducted? Ran away?
The younger the child is, the more vulnerable he is. It is essential to conduct a series measures as quickly as possible.
 Additional Information
- Try to remain calm. You will be better able to help your child with a clear mind.
- Enlist the help of a relative or a friend.
- If your child goes missing from your home, begin by conducting a thorough search of your entire house and property, including small hiding places and other areas such as attics, basements, cupboards, tool sheds, old refrigerators, heating ducts, piles of laundry and underneath beds.
- Check to ensure that your child isn’t at someone’s house such as a neighbors’, friends’, family or acquaintances’.
- Verify if any personal effects or clothes are missing. This could indicate a run away situation.
- Look for any clues or messages that could have been left behind.
- If you can’t immediately find your child contact your local Police. Please note that there is no minimum waiting period (such as 24-hours) before reporting a disappearance.
With the help of your local Police, you can establish a ground search team made up of friends and family to check some of the following locations:
Additional information
- Areas where children play, possible hiding places around the house and in the neighbourhood;
- The route that your child normally takes to go to and from school, the community center, friends’ houses, or favourite places;
- Cars and trucks that look abandoned around the area;
- Along the banks of streams or canals, etc.
Keep in mind that young children don’t usually wander as far as older children can.
Additional Information
- Look around the ground for any objects, clothes, books or other items that could have been left behind. If you find certain clues that you think are suspicious, don’t touch them and immediately contact the police.
- If your child goes missing in a store or a shopping center, immediately inform the Manager or the Security Department. If necessary, the police will then be contacted.
As time is of utmost importance when a child goes missing, be prepared to supply a profile of your child
Additional Information
- An up-to-date child identification booklet that includes a current photo of your child – this booklet will become an essential tool for the Police;
- A description of your child’s most recent comings and goings;
- Possible or probable destinations;
- What he was wearing the last time you saw him, including jewelry, and accessories such as a backpack, lunchbox, school bag, etc.;
- His known acquaintances;
- His interests and hobbies;
- Any recent changes in behaviour, friends or interests;
- The current family situation (recent divorce, an older brother or sister that has moved out, a new baby, etc.);
- Any particular problems or situations that could have influenced your child.
Make sure that someone is always available to answer the phone in the event that your child calls home.
Contact Enfant-Retour Québec at 514.843.4333 or toll-free at 1.888.692.4673 in order to register your missing child and obtain emotional support and guidance in the search for your child.
To register your missing child, please complete and return via fax at 514.843.8211 the registration form.
|
 |
|
