24 Hour Hotline | National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Program provides a 24-hour hotline for reporting a missing child, or the possible sighting of a child reported missing. A Call Center specialist will record information about the child. A National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) case management team will next work directly with the family and the law enforcement agency investigating the case. Case Managers will offer technical assistance tailored to the specific case to help ensure all available search and recovery methods are used. As appropriate NCMEC case management teams: Rapidly create and disseminate posters to help generate leads Rapidly review, analyze and disseminate leads received on 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) to the investigating law enforcement agency Communicate with federal agencies to provide services to assist in the location and recovery of missing children Provide peer support, resources and empowerment from trained volunteers who have experienced a missing child incident in their own family Provide families with access to referrals they may use to help process any emotional or counseling needs