There is a missing teenager in Texas, her name is Hailey Dunn. Hailey Dunn is 13 years old and has been missing since December 27, 2010. She was supposed to spend the night at a friends house but never showed up there and her mother called the police the next day when she found out that she didn't return home.
Local police attempted to issue an Amber Alert but weren't able because there was "not enough information." Well isn't a child missing ENOUGH information? Isn't this system in place to find missing children? I was wrong! It appears that a missing child has to meet criteria to be put on the Amber Alert System. I had no idea that such criteria was in place. I thought we cared for ALL our missing children. Seriously if a child ran away, why not put that child on the Amber Alert system? Yes, they ran away...but does that make them any less important in finding them and ensuring their safety? I am not in anyway stating that is the case with Hailey Dunn.
So as it goes for an Amber Alert to be put out they must meet the following criteria:
*There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred. (Again I feel ALL our missing children are important...not just some)
*The law enforcement agency believes that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. (I guess if they aren't in danger it doesn't matter. Never mind it might be a parent who loves their child but doesn't have the right to have them)
*There is enough descriptive information about the victim and the abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child. (This is the case with Hailey Dunn...there is not enough information...ridiculous in my eyes)
*The abduction is of a child aged 17 years or younger. (I understand this one perfectly fine)
Each state also has the right to add their own criteria as well. I am so saddened that an alert can't be put out for this girl or other children in similar situations. Yes this one bothers me a lot!
