Racial Disparities in the Location of Missing Children

According to data from the National Crime Information Center, about 600,000 people are reported missing in the United States each year (National Crime Information Center, 2022). The Black and Missing Foundation reported that 214,582 persons of color were reported missing in 2022 and 153,374 cases in that group were under 18 (Black and Missing Foundation, 2023).

Children of color are disproportionately classified as runaways and as a result they do not receive the Amber Alert, contributing to the underrepresentation of missing children of color in the media. On Jan. 1, 2024, a new alert system took effect in the state of California. Senate Bill 673, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom called for the ‘Ebony Alert’ system for missing Black children and young women, addressing the lack of media coverage in national headlines (Franklin, 2023).

We extend a special shout out to the Black and Missing Foundation for their tireless efforts in the location of missing children of color. In May of 2023, the Black and Missing Foundation 16-city billboard campaign honored its 15 year anniversary. These billboards highlighted 48 missing persons of color to raise awareness and help them gain rightful exposure. The Black and Missing Foundation continues to display their influential and informative work, highlighting racial disparities in media coverage for missing children of color. 

Today, on National Missing Children’s Day, we acknowledge the effect racial bias has on the location of missing children of color. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 98% of children that are reported missing are typically found in a matter of days. Of the children who are not found, most are Black (Barton, 2022). As we reflect on the progress made, we celebrate what has been done and drive further change by fostering empathy where it is underrepresented and continuing to aim for a future without bias.

References

2022 NCIC Missing Person and Unidentified Person Statistics. (2022). In National Crime Information Center. https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/2022-ncic-missing-person-and-unidentified-person-statistics.pdf/view

Black and Missing Foundation. (2023, June 28). Missing Persons Statistics 2022 (Infographic) | Black and Missing. BAMFI. https://www.blackandmissinginc.com/statistics/#:~:text=WHY%20THE%20DISPARITY%20IN%20MEDIA%20COVERAGE%3F&text=A%20LOT%20OF%20MINORITY%20CHILDREN,NOT%20RECEIVE%20THE%20AMBERT%20ALERT.&text=MISSING%20MINORITY%20ADULTS%20ARE%20LABELED,CRIMINAL%20INVOLVEMENT%2C%20GANGS%20AND%20DRUGS.

Franklin, J. (2023, October 11). California creates nation’s first “Ebony Alert” to find missing Black children. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/10/11/1205151447/california-ebony-alert-system-missing-black-youth-women#:~:text=Black%20youth%20and%20women%20go%20missing%20at%20a%20disproportionate%20rate&text=And%20while%20Black%20people%20make,the%20Black%20and%20Missing%20Foundation.

Barton, G. (2022, August 22). What happens when a child disappears in America? USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2022/08/26/racial-disparities-abound-efforts-find-missing-children/10331706002/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20National%20Center,are%20not%2C%20most%20are%20Black.