TRI-CITIES, Wash.- Washington State Patrol (WSP) says that if you see a missing child, don’t approach them, call 911.
WSP Trooper Thorson said if you’re able to keep your eyes on the suspect or missing child, keep track of them and actively give updates on the phone with 911. He said that this would help the officers being sent to the scene find where they need to go.
The main difference between a Missing Child Alert and an Amber Alert is if the child was abducted.
“You have to be 17 years or younger or known to be abducted and in danger of serious bodily injury or death. Number two you have to information to give to the police department such as the possible abductor’s name, what they’re driving, and a picture of the suspect. Number three it has to be inspected by a law enforcement agency. Number four, after a local police department investigates this issue and they feel it fits the criteria, they’re going to send it over to the Washington State Patrol Missing and Endangered Unit,” Thorson said.