Every year over 1.3 million children nationwide are missing. That's one child every 20 minutes or 19 out of every 1,000 children every year!!! The causes range from stranger abduction, parental abduction, runaways, throwaway's, children seduced or involved in cults and children missing for unknown reasons. There are many reasons, but whatever the cause the fact remains that a child is missing. This could be your child, or a nephew or niece, or the child next door. But the bottom line is they are gone!

The NISMART-2 study (released October 2002) for the U.S. Department of Justice, Division of Juvenile Delinquency, provides the following statistics: (Broad scope incidents)

Categories Category Total
(Reported & Not Reported)		 Reported to Law Enforcement
Runaways & Throwaways 628,900 357,600
Lost/Injured/Otherwise missing 198,300 61,900
Family Abduction 117,200 56,500
Non-Family Abduction* 32,885 12,010
Stereotypical Stranger Abduction* 115 90
Totals   1,315,600 797,500

 

* Non-family abductions and stereotypical stranger abductions are shown as one group in figure 3 on page 5 of the October 2002 NISMART-2 report. On page 6 of the same NISMART-2 report, it further defines the actual numbers that were stereotypical Stranger abductions where the child was taken 50 miles or more and/or held overnight. The combined totals as shown in figure 3, is listed as Non-family abductions. The combined totals are 33,000 (12,100 of which were actually reported to law enforcement).

MCIA has chosen to show the totals separate, to further illustrate that a parent or guardian must be aware of everyone that comes in contact with their children, not only strangers. A non-family member not only includes the stranger but boyfriends, girlfriends, neighbors, friends or anyone that comes in contact with your family.

Click here to view the complete October 2002, NISMART-2 Study, in PDF format.

Click here to get the Acrobat Adobe Reader®. You'll need this to view the study.

The numbers are staggering. We hear about missing children all the time. We hear about them on the radio, see them on television, see flyers in stores, markets, telephone poles, service stations and even billboards. They are usually circulated by a loving and scared parent desperate to find their child. Perhaps you know someone who has suffered the devastating pain of having a missing or abducted child.

Additional NISMART Study information

MCIA's website is often visited by students and researchers. The NISMART study is one of the most popular subjects researched. To assist students and researchers in this area, MCIA has placed links to the first NISMART study (1990) and some additional research information. All files are in PDF format.

Click here to view the complete May 1990, NISMART-1 Study.

Click here to view the OJJDP: "... Investigating Child Abuse: Update 2000."

Click here to view the OJJDP: "Keeping Children Safe ..."

Click here to view Janet Chiancone's review of OJJDP's literature on Parental Abduction.



Have you ever asked yourself, how can this happen? Why isn't something being done? What can I do? Well something is being done and you can help! You can participate in a number of ways to help bring these children home. See the "Volunteer" section.