Missouri State Highway Patrol is encouraging the public to sign up to receive AMBER alerts to help locate missing and abducted children.
The Patrol initiates AMBER Alerts when an abducted child meets the criteria set forth in Missouri’s AMBER Alert Plan.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, the AMBER Alert System recently helped in locating a Webster County toddler who had allegedly been abducted by his mother.
Within minutes after the alert was sent out the child was located safe. On Friday, January 17 a citizen who received the AMBER Alert on their cell phone contacted law enforcement after they recognized the vehicle with the out-of-state plates.
The Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Seymour Police Department, and Springfield Police Department worked together on the case.
The Patrol launched an upgraded Missouri AMBER Alert system in December 2019. This system streamlines the process to get alerts to the public faster. The new system includes wireless emergency alerts, automated social media alerts, and a public website, http://www.moalerts.mo.gov/, which provides the latest information on AMBER Alerts active in Missouri at any time.
Members of the public and media may subscribe to emailed AMBER Alerts by visiting http://www.moalerts.mo.gov/, selecting “Subscribe to Mo-Alerts” on the left side of the webpage, entering their email address, and clicking “Subscribe.” Subscribers receive a verification email and must click on the link provided to complete the process.