National Missing Persons Day
National Missing Persons Day is a holiday observed annually on the third day of February. This day is designed to highlight the fact that over 1,500 people go missing every year in the U.S. In 2020, approximately 540,000 people went missing, and about 340,000 of those were juveniles—according to data compiled by the FBI.
It’s a national problem that urgently needs to be addressed, and it’s a problem every American should be aware of. Fortunately, it can be solved, and if everyone comes together, it can be solved.
The History of National Missing Persons Day
National Missing Persons Day was created by Jo Ann Lowitzer after her daughter Alexandria went missing in 2010. She wanted to create a day that brought the public’s attention to the problem of missing persons every year.
Statistics & Facts About Missing Persons
We wanted to gather together some of the statistics and facts about missing persons so the magnitude of the problem could be underlined. Below are some of the stark facts that we feel everyone should know about the problem of missing persons.
- Every 40 seconds in the U.S., a child goes missing.
- The elderly suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and people with psychiatric problems, make up a sizable amount of missing person cases each year.
- The Global Missing Children’s Network was created in 1998.
- Thousands of indigenous women go missing each year, but that fact is rarely reported by the media.
Observing National Missing Persons Day
This day can be, and should be, observed by everyone. If all of us were aware and alert to the problem of missing persons, then we could share information, get the word out about particular missing person cases, and help to bring all of those who are lost back home.
People can get started by visiting the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.