The truth about missing kids, being "found safe and sound"
In most cases, these kids are not returned home. Police sight them, and that's it. Kids as young as 12, can tell police they don't want to go home, and they are left where they are, regardless of the location.
Last week, my 12yo child was a registered missing person. It took 3 days to find them. Police reported back to me. Stated my child wasn't "ready" to return home. They wouldn't tell me where they were or who they were with, on the request of my child. It broke my heart. The reason my child run away you ask. I told them they couldn't go to a night time beach after party with older teens (year 10 formal) Next thing I know, my child didn't come home from school, turned off their phone, so I couldn't track it. My child still isn't home. Police still won't help me.
This is the reality of 'found safe and sound"
3 Replies
Yes. Kids 12 and older are able to have their wishes considered.
I have a relative who tends to go missing, we’ve had the media coverage and the whole shebang. Numerous times.
“Safe and well” is just a more palatable way of telling the broader community that the person they were concerned about is alive.
The reality in most situations is obviously a lot more complex than “safe and sound” but I think most critically thinking people probably do understand this.
Sorry to hear that you’re going through a tough time with your kiddo, being a parent to teenagers can be bloody hard.
Safe & sound is just so the public think the police have done their job, the person is alive, and the personal details are not something to broadcast. I think we all do wonder if the person is safe. I saw the child abduction in QLD the other day and seeing her led away by police my heart broke, knowing full well she's not likely going back to a loving family home. Otherwise they'd say reunited with her family.
Someone I know went missing recently & I found out the real story, and it was horrifying. No one else knows about it & thinks this person deserves empathy. They do not. Their long term partner does.