Law Enforcement Agency Procedures for Activating an Amber Alert

PURPOSE: This rule establishes guidelines for determining when an Amber Alert should be activated and the procedure for activating the alert. (1) In the event of a missing child, the reporting agency shall first determine the following criteria are met: (A) The missing child qualifies as an “abducted child,” defined as a child age seventeen (17) or under whose whereabouts is unknown and who has been determined by local law enforcement to be— 1. The victim of kidnapping as defined by section 565.110, RSMo; or 2. The victim of a crime of child kidnapping as defined by section 565.115, RSMo, the statutory age limit notwithstanding; (B) The child is in the custody of someone other than a parent, guardian, or other official custodial entity, or sufficient evidence exists to indicate harm may come to a child from a parent, guardian, or other official custodial entity; and (C) Sufficient descriptive information exists to enhance the possibility of recovery, such as— 1. The time and location of the incident; 2. A physical description of the abducted child or his or her clothing, if known; 3. A physical description and identity, if known, of the abductor and whether or not the abductor is armed; and 4. A vehicle description and direction of travel. (2) The reporting agency shall take a complete report and validate the information. (3) The reporting agency shall— (A) Complete and submit a Missouri AMBER Alert Abduction Form through the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES). A request can also be made by completing a Missouri AMBER Alert Abduction Form on the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) website. The form should then be emailed or faxed to the MSHP communications division; and (B) Enter the incident into MULES and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. (4) Upon receipt of the Amber Alert Abduction Form, MSHP Communications Division personnel shall contact the reporting agency to confirm the validity of the alert. (5) After receiving confirmation, MSHP Communications Division shall then disseminate the alert. AUTHORITY: section 210.1014, RSMo Supp. 2020.* Original rule filed Oct. 3, 2005, effective March 30, 2006. Amended: Filed Aug. 20, 2020, effective March 30, 2021. *Original authority: 210.1014, RSMo 2003, amended 2019.