FAQ > Missing Persons FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do I report a missing person?
Contact your local law enforcement agency to file a missing persons report. To aid in the recovery of a missing person, law enforcement may request that information about a case be posted on the Ohio Missing Persons website. Learn more about reporting a missing person.

How do I submit a tip about a missing person?
Contact the local law enforcement agency where the person went missing or call the Ohio Attorney General's Office at (800) 325-5604.


How does a Missing Adult Alert work?

• An e-mail and fax message is sent throughout the state to media outlets.
• The information is posted on electronic billboards and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) signboards in the local area of the alert.
• A law enforcement radio broadcast and computer message is sent to all law enforcement agencies in the state.
• A toll-free telephone line for tips and information is activated - (866) 693-9171
• A Truckers Alert system is activated.
• The Ohio Lottery posts the information on lottery terminals.
• Special law enforcement response teams and programs are offered to assist in the search for the missing person.

How does a Missing Child Alert work?

• An e-mail and fax message is sent throughout the state to media outlets.
• A law enforcement radio broadcast and computer message is sent to all law enforcement agencies in the state.
• A toll-free telephone line for tips and information is activated - (800) 325-5604
• A Truckers Alert system is activated.
• Special law enforcement response teams and programs are offered to assist in the search for the missing person.
• Secondary notification systems are activated.

How does an AMBER Alert work?

• The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is activated.
• An e-mail and fax message is sent throughout the state to media outlets.
• The information is posted on electronic billboards and Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) signboards in the local area of the alert.
• A law enforcement radio broadcast and computer message is sent to all law enforcement agencies in the state.
• A toll free telephone line for tips and information is activated at (877) AMBER-OH
• A Truckers Alert system is activated.
• The Ohio Lottery posts the information on lottery terminals.
• Special law enforcement response teams and programs are offered to assist in the search for the missing person.
• Partners, such as phone companies, the Ohio Outdoor Advertising Association, the Ohio Electric Cooperative, the national Center for Missing and Exploited Children and others are notified and they re-distribute the alert.

What are the criteria to activate a Missing Adult Alert?

• The local investigating law enforcement agency confirms that the individual is missing.
• The individual is 65 years of age or older or any missing adult that has a mental impairment.
• The disappearance of the individual poses a credible threat of immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death to the individual.
• There is sufficient descriptive information about the individual and the circumstances surrounding the individual's disappearance to indicate that activation of the alert will help locate the individual.

What are the criteria to activate a Missing Child Alert?

• The child is under 18 years of age.
• Child’s missing status is confirmed by law enforcement and victim is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
• There is enough descriptive information concerning the circumstances, suspect, vehicle, and victim where the public would be able to assist.

What are the criteria to activate an AMBER Alert?

• An abducted child must be under 18 years of age.
• The abduction poses a credible threat of immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death to a child.
• A law enforcement agency determines that the child is not a runaway and has not been abducted as a result of a child custody dispute, unless the dispute poses a credible threat of immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death to the child.
• There is sufficient descriptive information about the child, the abductor and the circumstances surrounding the abduction to indicate that activation of the alert will help locate the child.

What is a Missing Adult Alert?
An alert system to quickly notify the public and media outlets about endangered missing adults, age 65 or older, or any missing adult with mental impairments.


What is a Missing Child Alert?
The Missing Child Alert is designed to notify the public using media outlets and other partners about a missing child whose missing circumstances do not meet the AMBER Alert criteria, but who is in danger of serious physical harm or death to the child.


What is an AMBER Alert?
The AMBER Alert system is designed to quickly notify the public using the media and other partners about a child abduction where the child faces an immediate danger or risk of serious physical harm or death.