We have received several messages and comments regarding why we did not issue an AMBER ALERT for the missing juvenile we posted about on Friday. We just wanted to share the required criteria that must be met in order for an AMBER ALERT to be issued.
The information that our deputies had, and gathered almost immediately following the report being taken, did NOT meet the criteria for an AMBER ALERT.
We apologize if some members of the public do not believe that this incident was handled correctly, but we can assure you, our deputies exhausted every resource they had available to them and was able to locate the juvenile and get her home safely.
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AMBER Alert Activation Criteria
In order for an AMBER Alert to be forwarded for dissemination via the Alert Missouri program the following criteria must be met:
- Law enforcement officials have a reasonable belief that an abduction has occurred, which meets the definition in RSMo. 565.110 or 565.115
- Law enforcement officials believe there is a credible threat of serious bodily injury or death.
- Enough descriptive information exists about the victim and the abductor for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert.
- The victim of the abduction is a child age 17 years or younger.
- The child's name and other critical data elements - including the child abduction (CA) flag - have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.
Note: Parental abductions do not qualify unless sufficient evidence exists to indicate that harm may come to a child from the parent, guardian or other official custodial entity.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/ozarkcountysheriff/posts/pfbid02ZNqizhdBoDFAHc3sCwfsnE3y5reVjDWeUgfnQF9PxtQMhAqeM4SWm87UdiE4ZaSpl
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