Missing Persons Resources
Missing Person Waiver
Before information about a missing person can be added to the Utah Missing Person Clearinghouse web site, the Missing Person Waiver Form must be filled out by the individual who wants to add the information to the web site. This can include individuals such as police agencies, complainants, parents, etc. The form also lists the steps that must be taken prior to our listing a person on the web site.
Without a signed waiver form a missing person’s picture CANNOT be placed on our web site.
Contact the Clearinghouse
Utah’s Missing Person’s Clearinghouse is administered by the Utah Department of Public Safety
Mailing Address
Bureau of Criminal Identification
4315 South 2700 West
Suite 1300
Taylorsville, Utah 84129
Social Media
Can I contact the Clearinghouse directly regarding a missing person or child?
Parents should contact their local law enforcement agency prior to contacting the Clearinghouse.
Police or other searching agencies should contact the Clearinghouse directly.
How long must I wait to report a missing person?
THERE IS NO WAITING PERIOD TO REPORT A MISSING PERSON. It is mandatory that law enforcement take missing persons reports immediately and enter the information into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) within 2 hours for missing persons under the age of 21. (Protect Act, Suzanne’s Law, Adam Walsh Child Protection Safety Act and the Crime Control Act of 1990) There are no federal or state laws regarding reports on adults.
What do I do if local law enforcement won’t take a missing person report (or enter the missing person into NCIC National Crime Information Center)?
Contact the officer that took the initial report to inquire why the report has not been entered in NCIC. Listen to what the officer advises you, as there may be other issues involved. The agency may not have jurisdiction where the missing person was at the time they became missing. You may not be the custodial parent or have valid custody documentation. If you have custody documents, you should present them to the officer. If you called the agency, you may have spoken to a call taker or communications officer who took the report. An investigator may or may not been assigned to your case. Write down the responses you are given for further follow-up.
For further information or questions, contact the Clearinghouse at
Phone
Alternative Phone
Parental Abduction
Each year hundreds of children fall victim to family abductions. Many believe these children are perfectly safe because they are with a family member; however, nothing could be further from the truth. It is common for the child victims to have their names and appearance altered, to experience medical and physical neglect, unstable schooling, homelessness, and frequent relocation.
These children are often told lies about the abduction and the left-behind parent; even that the left-behind parent is dead. Most of these children live as fugitives: taught not to trust anyone, told to keep secrets about their past; unable to establish relationships with friends; and always on the run from the law. As a result of this form of serious child abuse, many child victims of family abductions experience psychological consequences and emotional distress. Children involved in family abductions are usually taken by the non-custodial parent as an act of revenge against the ex-spouse/custodial parent.
Parental Kidnapping Defined
The term “parental kidnapping” encompasses the taking, retention or concealment of a child by a parent, other family member, or their agent, in derogation of the custody rights, including visitation rights, of another parent or family member.
Preventing an Abduction
- Obtain legal custody of your child.
- Specify in the custody order exact times and locations for visitation.
- Ask for special prevention provisions.
- Always keep current information of your child on file.
- Notify schools, daycare centers, and babysitters of custody orders.
- Keep current names and addresses of relatives or friends that the potential abducting parent might travel to.
- Keep on file certified copies of your custody order
- If you have custody papers from a state other than Utah, you MUST file them with the Utah State Courts.
Utah Law
Utah code annotated 76-5-303. Custodial Interference
(1) A person, whether a parent or other, is guilty of custodial interference if, without good cause, the actor takes, entices, conceals, or detains a child under the age of 16 from its parent, guardian, or other lawful custodian:
(a) knowing the actor has no legal right to do so; and
(b) with the intent to hold the child for a period substantially longer than the visitation or custody period previously awarded by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Custodial Interference is a class “A” Misdemeanor unless the child is removed and taken from one state to another, in which case it is a felony in the third degree.
Federal Law
Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act
The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act (1968) creates guidelines to avoid jurisdictional competition and conflict with courts of other states in matters of child custody, promote cooperation with the courts of other states, and facilitate the enforcement of custody decrees of other states
Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act
The Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (1980) assures that full faith and credit is given to child-custody determinations. States may honor and enforce custody determinations made in other states as long as certain requirements listed by the Act are satisfied
International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act
The International Parental Kidnapping Crime Act of 1993 makes it a federal crime to remove a child from the United States or retain a child, who has been in the United States, outside the United States with the intent to obstruct the lawful exercise of parental rights.
What Should I Do If I Suspect a Future Problem with a Family Related Abduction?
- Make sure your custody order specifies with whom the child is to reside at specific times, and restricts removal from the state without prior consent from the judge.
- Flag the child’s passport, or ask passport control not to issue one if requested. The U.S. Department of State website has more information on assistance during an International parental abduction.
- Notify schools, day care centers and babysitters of custody orders, give copies to such caretakers and ask to be alerted if the non-custodial parent makes an unscheduled visit to the facility.
- File a certified copy of your custody decree in the non-custodial parent’s home county (state). This notifies the court in that county (state) that a valid decree has already been issued and must be honored. Also consider filing a copy with counties in which non-custodial parent has close friends or relatives.
- Keep lists of information: addresses, phone numbers, social security number, passport number, and birthdays of all relatives and friends of the non-custodial parent.
- Keep current photos of your child updated every four months. Know their current weight and height.
- Keep all information in two separate and secure places.
- More information can be located at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children/s website https://www.missingkids.com