How to Take Action If Your Child Runs Away

Most children threaten to run away at some point in their lives, but much to a parent's dismay some will actually take the plunge and do it. No doubt you are overwhelmed with emotions like fear and anger, and it's easy to feel lost and out of control when your child is missing. There are resources to which you can turn in this time of need, and actions you can take that will help bring your child home.

Things You'll Need

  • Phone
  • Recent photo
  • File

Instructions

    • 1

      Call the police immediately to file a missing person's report. You will need to provide police with your child's name, birthdate, sex, race, height, weight, eye color and hair color. You'll also need to know who was with your child last, where he was and when he was last seen, and what he was wearing. Be prepared to answer any other questions to the best of your ability.

    • 2

      Find a copy of a recent photo of your child to provide to the police. Keep a copy of everything the police give you. Start a file so you can keep all information pertaining to your child conveniently on hand.

    • 3

      Call everyone your child knows to ask if anyone has seen him. Call the school as well -- your child might show up for school, or at least may be seen near the school looking for friends to ask for help or to say good-bye. Ask people to be on the lookout for your child.

    • 4

      Leave a message for your child with everyone you call. Keep it short and sweet, such as, "I'm worried about you and would like to know that you're OK; I would be willing to try and work out our problems if you come home." Ask people to give your child this message if they see or hear from him.

    • 5

      Investigate by going through your child's belongings. Check your child's email and computer history to see if you can find who they've been talking to, and if they left any information about where they might go. Check phone records, and go through your child's things to see if you can find any information that might hint at where he has gone.

    • 6

      Contact organizations such as the National Runaway Safeline, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children or the Polly Klass Foundation. These are not-for-profit organizations that can help provide you with resources and support to help you through this time.

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