Legal Definitions - Amber Alert

An Amber Alert is a public notification system used by law enforcement to rapidly broadcast information about a missing child believed to be in imminent danger of serious injury or death. The system is named in memory of Amber Hagerman, a child who was abducted and murdered in 1996, underscoring the critical need for immediate public assistance in such cases. When activated, an Amber Alert disseminates details about the child, suspected abductor, or associated vehicle through various media channels, including radio, television, digital highway signs, and mobile phone alerts, with the goal of quickly recovering the child.

Here are some examples of how an Amber Alert might be used:

• Example 1: Abduction from a Public Place
  A 6-year-old boy is reported missing from a busy shopping mall after witnesses saw an unknown individual lead him away. Police quickly gather a description of the suspect and a vehicle. An Amber Alert is issued, causing messages to flash on electronic billboards along major highways and interrupt local radio programming with details about the child and the suspect's car. This rapid, widespread broadcast aims to enlist the public's help in spotting the vehicle or individual before they can travel far.

• Example 2: Non-Custodial Parent Abduction with Endangerment
  A mother, who recently lost custody of her 3-year-old daughter due to documented safety concerns, takes the child from her daycare without permission. Law enforcement determines the child is at significant risk with the mother. An Amber Alert is activated, sending text messages to registered mobile phones in the region and displaying information on local television news channels. This alerts the community to be vigilant for the mother and child, especially at transportation hubs or known associates' residences.

• Example 3: Missing Child with Special Needs
  A 9-year-old girl with severe autism, who is non-verbal and prone to wandering, disappears from her family's backyard. Given her vulnerability and inability to communicate, police consider her to be in grave danger. An Amber Alert is issued, focusing on the immediate geographic area through social media notifications and local news bulletins, providing a clear photo and description of the child and her last known clothing. This mobilizes local residents to search their properties and neighborhoods, recognizing the urgency of finding a child who cannot ask for help.