THE RUNAWAY CHILD

 

FACTS ABOUT RUNAWAYS:

The number of runaways in Abilene per year on the average is 450 children. The number of runaway children each year according to the National Runaway Hotline, is 1.2 million; that is 1,234 runaways a day. 

According to the National Runaway Hotline:

·         48% are located in 1-3 days

·         21% in 4-7 days

·         14% in 1-4 weeks

·         9 % in 1-2 months

·         5% in 2-6 months

·         3% in 6+ months

Local statistics show that 87% are located in 1 day or less.

2007 Local Runaway Statistics

276 Children who had runaway were handled by the Abilene Police Department

269 of them were local runaways , 7 were out of town or state runaways located in our jurisdiction

This shows a 14.4% Decrease Over All

The Recidivism rate for runaways in Abilene is 23.5%

The average age for a runaway in Abilene is 14.65 years

Average time missing is 1.05 days

Average distance they are located from their home residence is 0.92 miles

48.5% were female

51.5%  were male

WARNING SIGNS THAT YOUR CHILD MIGHT BE THINKING ABOUT RUNNING AWAY:

Have you suspected any of the following of your child in the last 90 days?

·         Sneaking out at night

·         Skipping School

·         Grades Have Fallen

·         Increase in Tardiness

·         Tired A Lot

·         Alcohol or Drug Use

·         Suicidal

·         Change of Friends

·         Change In Music Taste

·         Change In Behavior

·         Change In Personality

·         Change In Dress Style

·         Increase In Internet Use

If you have noticed a majority of these, you need to take some type of intervention as soon as possible.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHILD FROM BECOMING A RUNAWAY

Communicate with your child. In our busy schedules as parents it is easy to forget to talk with your child every day and be interested in their lives. Always make your child feel that he/she can tell you anything.

If your child does run away, report your child immediately to the nearest Law Enforcement Agency. It is not necessary for your child to be gone any length of time before you can report them missing. This is according to federal and state law. Contact the parents of all your child’s friends and advise them your child is a runaway. Furnish the Law Enforcement agency a picture of your child and a complete list of your child’s friends.

Once your child is located the report will be forwarded to Harmony Family Service who provides intervention with the runaway child. Harmony Family Service will also provided intervention before the child runs away. This is at no cost to the parents.

If a parent wishes to have their child listed on our web page as missing, even if they are a runaway, please contact the youth division.