Ohio's AMBER Alert, Endangered Missing Child Alert, and Missing Adult Alert Missing Child Alert MISSING ADULT ALERT Ohio radio and TV stations can play a critical role in the safe recovery of missing children and adults through the state's AMBER Alert Plan, the Endangered Missing Child Alert, and the Missing Adult Alert. The three alerts are issued under different criteria when local law enforcement officials believe the media and general public can assist in locating the individual. AMBER Alerts, for abducted children in immediate danger of serious harm or death, are issued through the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The Endangered Missing Child and Missing Adult alerts are distributed via email, fax, or text message to those stations that register to receive the alerts. Ohio AMBER Alert Plan Ohio Endangered Missing Child Alert Program Ohio has a statewide AMBER Alert plan, as well as numerous regional and local plans. AMBER Alerts are issued only for confirmed abductions of children where notifying radio and TV stations – and through them the general public – may make a life or death difference in the safe recovery of the abducted child. Endangered Missing Child Alerts are issued by law enforcement when a child is missing under unknown circumstances and when the case does not meet the emergency nature of an AMBER Alert. Because the criteria for issuing an AMBER Alert are very specific, the Endangered Missing Child Alert enables valuable information about a missing child to be shared with the media without desensitizing either the media or the general public to AMBER Alerts. Criteria for AMBER Alert Activation State law has established these criteria for law enforcement to use in determining whether to issue an AMBER Alert: 1. The local investigating law enforcement agency confirms that an abduction has occurred. 2. The abducted child is under 18 years of age. 3. The abduction poses a credible threat of immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death to a child. 4. 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. 5. 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. Broadcasters' Response The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is the primary mechanism for issuing an AMBER Alert. If an AMBER Alert is issued in your station's EAS operational area or statewide, your station will receive an EAS message through its EAS box. The EAS activation for an AMBER Alert uses the "CAE" (Child Abduction Emergency) code. Additionally, if your station has requested to receive secondary notification of the alert from the Ohio Attorney General's office, you will receive an email, fax, or text message with more information about the AMBER Alert (see below for more information on registering). Information about active alerts, including photos, may also be available at www.OhioAMBERplan.org or on a toll-free telephone line activated for tips and alert information – 1-877-AMBER-OH. Updates and cancellations to the alert will be communicated by email, fax, or text message to registered stations. The Ohio Association of Broadcasters recommends that stations participating in the Ohio AMBER Alert plan broadcast AMBER Alerts received via EAS immediately and rebroadcast AMBER Alert information every 15 minutes for the first two (2) hours. The OAB encourages station management, engineering, and programming staff to establish procedures on how to respond when an AMBER Alert is issued. Receiving Notification of Alerts Only AMBER Alerts are distributed via the EAS system. Additional information on AMBER Alerts – including updates and cancellation information – is available via email, fax, or text message. All information regarding Endangered Missing Child and Missing Adult Alerts is distributed via email, fax, or text message. Any station personnel interested in receiving these alerts can register with the Ohio Attorney General's Ohio Missing Children's Clearinghouse at 1-800-325-5604. Or, you can register online through the OAB at www.oab.org/alerts. If you have questions, or need more information about any of these alert programs, please contact the OAB at 866-OAB-5794. 88 East Broad Street, Suite 1180 • Columbus, Ohio 43215-3525 Phone: 866-OAB-5794 • Fax: 614-228-8133 www.oab.org Criteria for Endangered Missing Child Alerts Law enforcement officials may issue a Endangered Missing Child Alert in cases that do not meet AMBER Alert criteria. The child may be lost, the possible vicitim of a non-witnessed or non-confirmed abduction, or his or her whereabouts are unknown. Broadcasters' Response Broadcasters will be notified of a Endangered Missing Child Alert via email, fax, or text message from the Ohio Attorney General’s office. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) will NOT be activated. All updates and cancellations will be delivered via email, fax, or text message as well. Management at participating radio and television stations should use their discretion about whether to air the alert, and how to communicate updates and cancellations. Stations must register with the Attorney General's office to receive information on Endangered Missing Child Alerts. See below left for more information on registering. Ohio Missing Adult Alert Program The Ohio legislature established the Ohio Missing Adult Alert program to aid in the identification and location of missing adults who have a mental impairment or are 65 years of age or older. The alert must be requested by a law enforcement agency, and must be activated through the Ohio Attorney General’s office. Criteria for Missing Adult Alerts According to Ohio law, a Missing Adult Alert may be activated in cases meeting the following criteria: 1. The local investigating law enforcement agency confirms the individual is missing. 2. The individual is 65 years of age or older, or has a mental impairment. 3. The disappearance of the individual poses a credible threat of immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death to the individual. 4. There is sufficient descriptive information about the individual and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance that activation of the Missing Adult Alert may help locate the individual. Broadcasters' Response Broadcasters will be notified of a Missing Adult Alert via email, fax, or text message from the Ohio Attorney General’s office. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) will NOT be activated in these cases. All updates and cancellations will be delivered via email, fax, or text message as well. A special website for the Ohio Missing Adult Alert Program – www.missingadults.ohio.gov – has been created. The website will provide the initial information about the alert, along with photos (if available) and updates and cancellations. Information may also be available on a toll-free telephone line activated for tips and alert information – 1-866-693-9171. Management at participating radio and television stations should use their discretion about whether to air the alert, and how to communicate updates and cancellations. Stations must register with the Attorney General's office to receive information on Missing Adult Alerts. See left for more information on registering.