About 2,000 children go missing every day in the United States. And the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says the case reminds the public that they are key to bringing children home safely.
Latisha Frazier has been missing since Aug. 2, 2010. She is among five children listed as missing from Washington, D.C., on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's online database.
This unidentified baby was found abandoned on Rhode Island Avenue NE in March 1998. She was just five days old. (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Joanna DelValle-Rodriguez has been missing since July 21, 2012. She may have traveled to New York City.
She is among five children listed as missing from Washington, D.C., on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's online database. (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
April Williams has been missing since Dec. 3, 1983 when she just a few months old. The photo on the left is a composite of what she would look like today.
She is among five children listed as missing from Washington, D.C., on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's online database. (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Tyler Wright has been missing since July 17, 1999. His mother was charged with his kidnapping and may have taken him to Trinidad or the U.S. Virgin Islands. The image on the left shows how Tyler might appear at age 13. He is among five children listed as missing from Washington, D.C., on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's online database. (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
WASHINGTON – It was a shock for many people. Three young women, held captive in a Cleveland home after being kidnapped almost a decade ago. But there are thousands of missing children across the country. And the case in Cleveland has raised the alarm for some parents and given hope to others.
“We have so many families who are still looking for their children who are missing and seeing situations like this gives everyone hope,” says Michelle Collins, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The center lists five children missing from Washington, D.C., on its searchable online database. More than 300 children are reported missing in Virginia and more than 100 children are reported missing in Maryland, according to the database.
About 2,000 children go missing every day in the United States, the center says.
“It’s really important that the American public know that they really are the eyes and ears that are looking for many of these missing children,” Collins says.
She says it is important that parents teach their kids to trust their instincts. She says the message can be simple.
“If something feels wrong, make sure you get out of the situation and tell an adult that you trust.”
