By Sheila Ferguson

From April through June 2023, thirty children of color went missing in Cleveland, Ohio. This was an unbearable situation for the families and the Greater Cleveland community. It left adults asking:

  • Where are the missing children?
  • Are they okay?
  • How are their families doing?
  • What are the police and media doing to help find them? and
  • What can the community do to help?

Nationally, there has been an increase in missing children of color since the COVID-19 Pandemic.  In the recent missing children of color cases in Cleveland, many of the children had run away but have since safely returned home. Still, some remain missing making this a matter of high importance! Thus, we need to remember that likely offenders may include:

  • A non-custodial parent.
  • A human trafficker engaged in either the sex trades or economic slavery.
  • A gang-hostage situation to exploit and trap by coercive control.
  • A serial predator seeking to sexually violate, keep captive, or kill.

Understanding the plight of missing children and youth means educating families on health and safety, and improving police and community response. Overall, communities and families are key in preventing kidnaps and abductions.

Derrica and Natalie Wilson, founders of the Black and Missing Foundation, Inc. (BAMFI.org), say that the recovery of missing Black people is difficult in a society filled with racial and economic discrimination. Statistically, African Americans comprise 14% of the U.S. population and they make up 40% of all missing Americans.  In BAMFI’s mission to “Find US,” the Wilsons report that the search and recovery of non-white individuals is complicated.  They say that white people do not have to contend with racial discrimination, or the lack of police interest and media assistance as evidenced by:

  • Police minimizing the families’ worries and blaming the victims by saying things like, “Your kid is hanging out with friends, using drugs without your knowledge, or experiencing untreated emotional distress. They may need 24 to 48 hours to cool off.” This can delay the startup of a search during the most critical hours.

  • Local and national media outlets’ refusals to cover the stories of missing African American, Latino, and Native American loved ones. The late journalist Gwen Ifill coined the term “Missing White Woman Syndrome” to underscore the fact that missing white women like Lacy Peterson, Natalie Holloway, and Gabby Pettito more easily get the media attention to aid in their immediate search and recovery.

  • Stereotypes associated with race, address, and zip code feel like disqualifiers for requesting assistance on the grounds that missing persons in your area are highly predictable.

Family and Community Prevention Strategies  

Families and communities may also play a significant role in keeping children safe by:

  • Supervising adolescents and teens during after school and weekend hours. Let them know where you expect them to be. Parents must know their children’s whereabouts and the planned time of arrival home. Your children should also know how to lock the doors and stay inside the home without any guests until you arrive home.
  • Have a magic word or code word that only you and your children know. This way no one will be able to trick your children by attempting to pick them up as a favor to you.
  • Knowing what your children are wearing every day! Either have your child’s clothes laid out the night before or see your child off for the day when possible. If you are unable to send them off, have a friend or neighbor see them off each morning.
  • Walking about your neighborhood with your children. Point out the safe places in the neighborhood. These will include homes of friends and family, the library, or a neighborhood center.
  • Getting family and friend support to help supervise or transport your child after school or during free time activities.
  • Having a tracker placed on your children’s phones to let you know where they are.
  • Never placing TOT FINDER decals on your child’s bedroom windows, as these are indicators to predators where your child sleeps and plays.
  • Teaching your children about social media risks. Limit their use of electronics, and stress the dangers of online predators attempting to become their friends.
  • Encourage your elected officials to create an ordinance to prohibit the posting of recruitment signs and messages on telephone poles. Messages like, “Do you want to be a model or actor? Call  216-xxx -xxx” or “Need money fast? Call 216-xxx-xxx” can attract young people’s interest and draw them into trouble.
  • Reading and posting the County Sheriff’s postcards sent to your household that identifies any sexual predators living in your neighborhood.

Finally, join together with Black clergy and family advocates nationwide who are calling for the establishment of:

  • Police policies and procedures to ensure fairness in all missing person cases regardless of race, gender, and ZIP code.
  • Urgent police action along with media attention.
  • Family funding support to cover the costs for launching their own investigations including, but not limited to private investigators, attorneys, telephone research, tracking dogs, drones, and excavation teams.
  • Supportive housing to cover a family’s expenses while they are off work and searching for their missing loved one.

Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (1-800-843-5678) and BAMFI (1-877-972-2634) when you need help!

References

Missing White Woman Syndrome & The Media Bias Towards Missing People of Color | WUSF Public Media

Founders Launch New Podcast To Shine Light on Missing People of Color (blackenterprise.com)

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article275368991.html#storylink=cpy

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can be reached at 1-800-843-5678. (1-800-THE LOST). To report child sexual exploitation, go to https://report.cybertip.org/.