Orlando Police Department
Criminal Investigations Division
Crimes Against Children

Hours of Operation: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Reception Desk: 407-246-2425

Detectives in our Crimes Against Children Unit are responsible for investigating physical and sexual abuse against children, child neglect, missing children, runaways and child custody disputes.

The Crimes against Children Unit is comprised of seven personnel - five Detectives, one Detective’s Assistant, and one Sergeant. The Crimes against Children Unit is responsible for investigating all cases of missing juveniles reported to the department. The majority of the unit’s caseload is missing juveniles. A missing juvenile detective has expertise in locating juveniles, many of which do not wish their whereabouts to be known. This unit also focuses on the investigation of child custody cases.

FACTS ABOUT RUNAWAYS: The number of reported runaways in Orlando per year on the average is 1200 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 80% are located in 1 day or less.

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

• 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

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

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

SEARCHING FOR RUNAWAYS: Is your child a runaway? Have they left home without your permission? Being the parent of a missing or runaway child is a terrible situation with feelings of desperation, frustration, or anxiety. Here are some ideas on how to conduct a search:

• Make a runaway or missing person report to your local police department, provide them with a current picture of your child when the report is taken.

• Contact your child's friends and also talk with their parents.

• Call people in your child's address book.

• Contact relatives, employers, coaches, and youth group members.

• Contact your child's school administration, teachers, and security.

• Check ATM transactions and phone bills.

• See if any credit cards are missing.

• Call places that can help you with poster or photo distribution, The detective assigned to your case can provide you these numbers.

• Think about what to say or do when your child returns home.

• Find support for yourself during this time of crisis.

• Look through home computer files for information to locate the child.

DETAILS THAT PARENTS NEED TO CONSIDER

• Communicate with your child

• Know your child's friends

• Know the places they hang out

• Know your child's likes and dislikes

• Be aware of changes in behavior

• Be aware of unexplained property that shows up

• Be aware if your child becomes secretive

Family Communication is key to having a well-adjusted family. Most juvenile runaways have poor communication with their families.

COMMUNICATION TIPS FOR FAMILIES

• Set aside time to talk every day.

• Do not expect your family to read your mind

• Be specific about your expectations and requests.

• Have patience; good communication takes time and effort.

• Brainstorm ideas before making a final decision.

• Ask for input from all family members.

• Write things down; make a list of changes you want to see.

• Be willing to compromise.

• Do fun things together.

• Use community recourses when you need help

DETAILS THAT JUVENILES NEED TO CONSIDER:

• Are you thinking about running away?

• Do you sometimes have problems talking with your parents?

• Have you ever been so angry that you thought about leaving home?

• Are you having problems at home?

• Do you have a friend who wants to run away?

• Are you under pressure with your friends or at school?

NINE QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU RUN AWAY

1. What would make me stay at home?

2. How will I survive?

3. Is running away safe?

4. Who can I count on to help me?

5. Am I being realistic?

6. Have I given this enough thought?

7. What are my other options?

8. If I end up in trouble, whom will I call?

9. When I return home, what will happen?

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.

REFERENCES AND LINKS:

Missing Children Center, Inc.
276 East Highway 434
Winter Springs, Florida 32708
407-327-4403 or 800-330-1907

Missing Children Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting families of missing children. They offer services free of charge from the moment the child is missing and after the child is recovered such as:

• 24 hour help line 407-327-4403 to list cases, take leads and to be there for the child, parents and family at all times

• Immediate crisis support through counseling & connecting families to outside resources and social service professionals.

• Act as a coordinating agency between families, law enforcement and other child advocate agencies

• Make and distribute poster through local and national television, newspapers, magazine, law enforcement and other distribution sources available

• Provide speakers to law enforcement agencies, schools, churches, clubs and other organizations for education and public awareness.

Florida Parent Hotline
888-413-2645
Is a Network of Youth and Family Services. They provide Youth Services and Family Counseling.

Substance Abuse and Family Education SAFE Program
407-422-4233
http://safe.recovery.com

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children http://www.ncmec.org