It’s important to pay attention to missing person alerts

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) is raising awareness, about the importance of Wisconsin’s Missing Child Alerts, as it marks more than one year, since announcing these alerts, which broaden options for alerting the public to missing children. “Too many Wisconsin families know what it’s like for a loved one to go missing,” said Attorney Gen. Josh Kaul. “The Missing Child Alert has added to the tools available, that can help bring kids home safely.” Sen. LaTonya Johnson, co-authored the bill that expanded criteria for issuing alerts for missing children. “The Missing Child Alert ensures that children across Wisconsin, are no longer overlooked and that their disappearances are met with the same urgency, public awareness and state resources, as those qualifying for an AMBER Alert,” said Johnson. “This alert system isn’t just a procedural change, but a lifeline for families in distress and for law enforcement, working against the clock, to bring children home.” The DOJ launched the Missing Child Alert, after Gov. Tony Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 272 into law, in April 2024. Act 272, known as the Prince Act, was named after five-year-old Prince McCree, who went missing in Milwaukee, and 10-year-old Lily Peters, who went missing in Chippewa Falls. The legislation expanded the criteria for issuing alerts for missing persons, by including children in the statutory definition of a “person at risk.” Missing Child Alerts are focused on alerting the public to missing children, under specific circumstances. Since the first Missing Child Alert was sent in August 2024, the DOJ has approved and issued 17 Missing Child Alerts, for 14 children, ages four through 17. Over the same timeframe, four AMBER Alerts were issued for five children, ages four through 16. Missing Child Alerts are one of several types of alerts the DOJ may send out, on behalf of local law enforcement, to help locate missing persons. Others include the AMBER Alert, which rapidly disseminates information about a missing child; and the Silver Alert, which aims to protect those with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other permanent cognitive impairment, who may go missing. Additionally, local law enforcement has the authority to send out Missing Endangered Person Alerts. The Missing Endangered Person Alert is commonly used when a missing person does not meet the criteria for other specific alerts. They may also send out Green Alerts for missing veterans, who have a service-related health condition. Missing Child Alert Criteria • The person at risk has not attained the age of 18 years, AND, the person is believed to be incapable of returning home, without assistance, because of a physical or mental condition, or disability, OR, the person has not attained the age of 10 years, AND, the individual(s) location is unknown. • It is within 72 hours of the individual’s disappearance, and their situation does not qualify for another alert (i.e. AMBER Alert). • The individual has been entered as missing into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). • There is sufficient information available to disseminate to the public, that could assist in locating the missing person. Missing Child Alerts are disseminated through the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network, Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA)*, the Wisconsin Lottery terminals throughout Wisconsin, along with the Department of Transportation’s (dOT) Dynamic Messaging Boards. *Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) will be sent to mobile devices, up to a five-mile radius from the last known location, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Amber Alert Criteria • A child must be 17 years of age or younger. • A child must be in danger of serious bodily harm or death. • An initiating agency must have enough descriptive information about the child, the suspect and/or the suspect vehicle, to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help locate the child. An AMBER Alert must be requested by a local law enforcement agency and approved by Wisconsin DOJ. AMBER Alerts are activated using the Emergency Alert System (EAS) over television and radio stations; Wireless Emergency Alert broadcast directly to individual cell phones located in the broadcast area; AMBER Alert Wisconsin website; highway dynamic messaging boards; outdoor advertising digital billboards; lottery terminals; and the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network. If a person is missing, do the following: • Contact local law enforcement, to report the person missing. • Law enforcement will work with the DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and other law enforcement partners, to assess the next steps for finding the missing person. • The DCI is the only entity that can issue a Missing Child Alert, an AMBER Alert and a Silver Alert. • Local law enforcement may issue a Missing Endangered Person Alert and Green Alert. Sign up for the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network and receive Missing Child, AMBER, Silver, Green and Missing Endangered Person Alerts, at wisconsincrimealert. widoj.gov.