‘Every second counts’: This TBI resource could help if your child ever goes missing
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Several missing persons cases have captured the nation’s attention this year, with efforts still ongoing to find Sebastian Rogers, a teen missing from Tennessee, and Elijah Vue, a 3-year-old who vanished from Wisconsin.
It’s something Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Special Agent in Charge Shelly Smitherman said no parent ever wants to face. However, it’s important to prepare for the worst as every second is critical in missing children’s cases.
TBI launches new resource ‘TN KidKit’ to aid in the search for missing children
“Every second counts when a child goes missing,” Smitherman said. “If we’re waiting on information or facts about a child, or a new photo of the child, then that is minutes that is taking away from us looking for the child and putting it out to you.”
Things like a child’s weight and height, as well as any allergies they may have, or other types of unique information such as an “imaginary friend,” are all details that could quickly help both law enforcement and the public find a missing child.
However, in the immediate panic that often comes after parents can’t find their children, Smitherman said some people find it difficult to answer questions or remember details that could be valuable in the search.
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“You would be surprised how often parents don’t have a photo of a child, don’t know their weight or height, and at the moment in crisis when law enforcement is asking these questions, there’s a delay,” she said.
‘TN KidKit’: TBI resource for parents
That’s why, nearly three years ago, the TBI launched a tool to assist parents in documenting details about their children. The “TN KidKit” allows parents to digitally store a full sheet of facts, photographs and other details that can be shared with authorities in the case of an emergency.
While key details such as age, eye color, hair color, weight and height are important to finding children of any age, there are different documents for parents to fill out for different age groups.
For older children, parents are asked to document things like their social media information and best friends, including any friends who may have a car, while parents of younger children may record their favorite toys and places they like to play.
Even something as simple as a child’s favorite blanket could be a key to finding them.
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“Anything that we can provide the public up front, or if we have search teams that are out looking immediately after a child goes missing, the more information that we can give the search teams or law enforcement, hopefully the quicker we’re going to find the child,” Smitherman said.
Parents of children with special needs should also make sure to check their local resources and record unique details that could assist law enforcement and searchers, according to the TBI.
“If there’s any fears, for autistic children we know that they wander toward water — and know what’s around where you live if the child goes missing and if there’s any of those clues that would attract a child with special needs,” Smitherman said.
After filling out the correct TN KidKit for each child in their home, parents can save the documents and keep them on their electronic devices. Guardians may also want to print out a few hard copies to have on hand.
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Officials said parents should consider updating the information in the TN KidKit every six months to a year since children’s height and weight can change quickly. To find out more information or to download and complete a TN KidKit, click here.
“We hope you’ll never need it,” Smitherman said. “No one wants to think about one of our kids going missing, but if taking 10 minutes to prepare right now could make a difference when it matters most, wouldn’t you?”
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