Disappearance of a minor child

If your child is missing and you can't reach him, you should first search for him or her friends, of your neighbors, members of your family.

You must also search for it in the places he's used to frequenting (park, playground,...).

You can contact his school or the place that has custody (examples: aerated center, sports club).

It is advisable to inquire about the schedule at which your child left alone.

Similarly, it is recommended to check if your child left with any belongings (ID, money, clothes, bags, mobile phone,...).

There is no specific definition of disappearance of concern.

Nevertheless, the disturbing nature of the disappearance may be due to the following indications:

• Departure without personal belongings
• Particular vulnerability of the minor (e.g. due to young age, health problem, disability or personal difficulties known as family conflict or harassment)
• Discovery of suicidal mail or threats
• Suspected radicalization.

In practice, law enforcement authorities assess the disturbing nature in the light of all the circumstances, in particular the degree of autonomy of the child, his usual behavior and the conditions of his disappearance.

In case of disturbing disappearance, including a runaway, you must notify the police or gendarmerie.

You can contact the police or gendarmerie service of your choice.

Contacting the nearest service may allow for a quicker response, but this is not an obligation.

To contact the police or gendarmerie, you can call the 17.

The unexplained disappearance of a minor is a emergency situation.

You can also go directly to a police station or gendarmerie. Their premises are open to the public 24 hours a day. A recent photograph of the child will be requested.

As soon as the statement is made, the police or gendarmerie launch an investigation to find the child.

The survey includes the following phases:

• Collection of information from relatives and witnesses
• Monitoring of possible travel, including by checking surveillance cameras, stations and airports.

Only in case of abduction, the public prosecutor may decide to trigger the Removal Alert Device.

This device makes it possible to alert the media and broadcast the report of the abducted child.

However, the triggering of this alert is not systematic. It is subject to the following conditions which must be all together:

• The abduction is proven
• The victim is a minor
• The life or integrity of the child is in danger
• Information can be used to locate the child or suspect.

After the report, you must remain available to the investigators and provide them with any new useful information.

You can tell them anything new (call, message, testimony).

It is recommended not to disseminate sensitive information on social networks without the consent of law enforcement, so as not to disrupt searches.

Telephone service 116,000 Missing Children is a unique European issue dedicated to missing children.

Its mission is to listen to and support the families of missing children. He advises families in administrative and legal procedures.

He also intervenes with families in the context of runaways, parental abductions in France or abroad.

It may also:

• help to disseminate research notices,
• support families in their efforts in France and abroad,
• and offer psychological support.