COLUMBUS – The number of children reported missing in Ohio declined in 2020 as the pandemic kept more families at home.
According to the annual report from the Missing Children Clearinghouse, issued in recognition of National Missing Children’s Day May 25, shows there were 16,332 reports of missing children in 2020, down by 2,306 in 2019, and says 97.2% of the missing children were recovered safely by the end of the year.
There were six attempted child abductions, less than one-third as many as in 2019, and the report says all children were approached in public spaces such as parks, stores or walking along public streets. Closures and stay-at-home orders kept many Ohioans out of those places for much of the year.
Law enforcement agencies issued seven Amber Alerts and all of the children were recovered safely.
There were 10 Endangered Missing Children Alerts, issued when a child is believed to be in danger but when the circumstances do not warrant an Amber Alert, were sent out and all but two of the children were recovered. The two who were not were found deceased as a result of accidental drowning.
The Missing Children Clearinghouse is operated by the Ohio Missing Person Unit, within the office of the Ohio Attorney General.