What to do when your child goes missing

If your child goes missing, what do you do and when do you do it?

First, call law enforcement. Don’t wait. That’s crucial.

Ask Police about issuing an Amber Alert. Make sure to give them an updated photo.

After, call police. Search your home, checking each room carefully including attics or crawl spaces, closets, under beds and any place your child could possible hide.

A lot of times, kids fall asleep or just got stuck somewhere.

Then, get into their electronic communications.

Emails, social media, and texts they’ve sent are all clues to where they may be.

Having your child abducted is a terrifying thought, but there are actually only about 100 non-family abductions a year and 99.8 percent of all missing children to come home.

RELATED: Further information steps to take when a child goes missing below.

• National Child Kidnapping Facts 
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and tip list