May 25 is National Missing Children's Day in the US

Today is National Missing Children's Day in the US

Today marks the 28th annual National Missing Children's Day. First proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan and observed by each administration since, National Missing Children’s Day serves as a reminder to the nation about the importance of child safety and remembering children who are still missing.

May 25th marks the anniversary of the day when 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from a New York street corner on his way to school. Etan's story captivated the nation. His photo, taken by his father, a professional photographer, appeared in media across the nation and around the world. As a result, Etan became the poster-child for a movement and his photo came to symbolize the anguish and trauma of thousands of searching families.

For three decades, the search for Etan has continued. Just as that day when President Reagan proclaimed the first National Missing Children's Day, Etan is still missing. The widespread attention brought to his case and others eventually led to a nationwide commitment to help locate and recover missing children.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) honors this commitment by reminding parents, guardians, and others to make child safety a national priority and encourages them to participate in the Take 25 campaign.

International Abduction: Chasing the Cyclone by Peter THOMAS

Peter Thomas Senese went through the terrifying experience of having his son abducted by his ex-spouse and taken via Canada to New Zealand. In the process of winning his son back, he decided to write about his experience for the benefit of others. His book was entitled "Chasing the Cyclone" and he has now created a documentary.

Chasing Parents: Racing Into the Storms of International Parental Child Abduction' - What The World Needs To Know About International Parental Child Abduction.

(To find out more got to www.chasingthecyclone.com)

Rodney STAFFORD arrives in Edmonton

Rodney STAFFORD arrived in Edmonton today - at the end of his long bike tour from Ontario to honour the memory of his daughter, Tori.

The welcome was at the West Edmonton Mall and it was quite impressive. ChildFind Alberta had arranged the event along with Rodney's sister, Rebecca. Staff from the RCMP and Corrections Canada provided the manpower to run the the "Child ID" fingerprinting kits and a number of very talented kids provided entertainment. There was also a silent auction of many interesting items, including a brand new unused version of the bike Rodney rode on his trip.

Rhonda had the foresight to bring a gift of "balloon art" in the shape of PAAO's entwined hearts logo! And Jimmy's young son, 5-yr old Keegan got up his courage to present it to Rodney (with out letting go as it would have floated up to the roof!). Rodney was obviously very touched by Keegan's gift and thanked him. CTV Edmonton had a clip of Rhonda hugging Rodney after he received the balloon art on evening newscast, and Global Edmonton Newscast - Sat Sep 19, Evening News 6pm.

Child Abduction and PA

Obviously the sad case of Victoria (Tori) STAFFORD in Woodstock ON, is NOT a case of PA but Stranger Abduction. But her mother's boyfriend/step-dad has been named as a "person of interest" - but given other terrible cases recently, it could just as easily be the mother who is prime suspect. For me I question why the biological father has been sidelined by the media. It would be hard to imagine any parent not feeling helpless and out-of-control as an influence in his daughters life now. There remains disagreement about the strange women who lured Tori away somehow.

Yet, Parental Abductions are among the leading causes of Missing Child reports - according to stats collated by the RCMP1 and Missing Children's Network - Quebec. Missing Children's Network are the provincial component of a national and international network that coordinates various cases of missing children every year. Their Director General, Pina Arcamone was interviewed in this happy outcome on Good Friday (April 11, 2009) for Frank and Ashley GONIS, separated for 2 years.

Then I also saw this remarkable re-uniting story after 27 years between Dirk PRATT and his daughter, Francesca! She was told he was dead but never completely believed it. A few weeks ago, after watching the 2008 movie "Wanted" with Angelina JOLIE, Dirk copied a plot line idea and Googled his own name and came up with a shocking search message that read, "I am trying to contact Dirk Pratt. I am his daughter." After thinking it was a sick joke, he was finally able to re-establish contact with the daughter he lost 27 years before.

Footnotes:

1) While the numbers of Parental Abductions (PA) appear small, this is only because they are overwhelmed by the huge numbers or Run Away (RA) or Unknown/Throw Away (UN) cases. Such large numbers are because of multiple incidents by individuals. It had been reported in the U.S that fully 30% of these single incidents are by a small number of recurrent runaway kids. Also many of these cases are quickly resolved. Source: RCMP 2007 Missing Children Reference Report - National Missing Children Services, Appendix 1.