Effective July 1, 2018, Indiana House Bill 1248 becomes law and will amend Indiana Code 10-13-5-4.4 to include “missing endangered child”.
The amended law defines a ‘missing endangered child’ as a missing child who is believed to be incapable of returning to the missing child’s residence without assistance because of: mental illness; intellectual disability; or another physical or mental disability
The change in the law has resulted in an update to the Silver Alert criteria. The person must be a Missing Endangered Adult, Missing Endangered Child, High Risk Missing Person or have a mental impairment validated through a credible medical authority. There must be enough descriptive information to believe the broadcast will help and the request must be recommended by the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction.
– If you know someone who goes missing, immediately contact your local law enforcement.
– Consider using your social media for assistance.
– Routinely keep updated images of your children and immediate family members.
– Routinely keep in contact with those who may be suffering from a mental or physical impairment.
– Contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 for additional resources and assistance related to missing children.