When it comes to filing a report for a missing person, the circumstances will vary and be defined by age. Florida’s code of criminal procedures defines a missing person as somebody whose temporary or permanent residence is in the state, and their location cannot be determined. A missing person is any individual that is 18 years or older. A missing child is a person under 18 year of age and their location cannot be determined. When a person or child goes missing, it can be very stressful and many people are not sure what steps they can take to file a missing person or missing child report. Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami, FL will share what steps you can take when filing a missing person or missing child report.
When to File a Missing Persons Report
For a parent or legal guardian, if a child is missing, call the police immediately. You can report a child missing and it will go out to all active units where they will quickly begin a search. Often an officer will come to you to get the details of the child’s disappearance. If the child is not located in a short period of time, then you will need to file a missing child report. When it comes to teens or a missing person, often many people want to establish they are indeed missing first. Older teens may not have checked in with their parent or legal guardian, or a spouse found themselves broken down off the side of the road or even got arrested. When determining if an adult or older teen is missing you will of course try to contact them or their co-workers or friends to see if they are with them. You can even drive down their known routes to see if they have broken down and their phone is dead. Next you can contact hospitals to see if your missing person is there or if they have any John or Jane Does they cannot identify. You can also contact the local sheriff department and see if your missing person has been arrested. If all leads turn out empty and you have legitimate concerns, you will want to begin filing a missing person’s report.
Police Missing Person Procedure
When filing a missing person and/or missing child report, you will need to go down to your local sheriff’s office. Be as specific as possible. The more information provided, the better the chance of finding your missing person. When filing a report they will ask a number of questions such as full name, date of birth, last known location, what they were wearing and for any distinctive marks such as birth marks or tattoos. Provide any medical conditions regardless as to their nature. If possible, bring a recent picture of the missing person or child to provide the police and public with the missing person’s face. After filing a report, request the case number and the officer that has been assigned to the case. If you wish to seek additional aid towards the case and hire a private investigator, the investigator can receive access to the case and the officer working on it.
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If you find yourself filing a missing person’s report and wish for additional help on the case, Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami, FL can help. Call us to get started on a missing persons investigation today!
