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As the season of giving approaches, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who has helped us this year in our mission to ensure that every child has a safe childhood.
The work we do every day is only possible because of the support from our partners, our donors and everyone in the public who helps spread the word about missing children and shares vital information to keep families safe.
2022 has challenged us in many ways. We’ve seen new threats against children and NCMEC has had to adapt and figure out how to continue to better protect kids. Our ability to serve as the leading child protection organization in the U.S. would never be possible without you.
People often ask us, “What can I do to help?” Everyone out there has something to offer – something that they can do to help in our mission. Maybe you have a business where you can display missing child posters. Maybe you and your friends can throw a fundraiser. Maybe it’s as simple as sharing a post about a missing child on your social media so that photo makes it just a little bit further.
One of our longtime partners, Adobe, recently asked that very question – what else can we do to help? Throughout the years, Adobe has donated its software tools and technological support as well as funding our age-appropriate online safety education program, NetSmartz.
Adobe Photoshop, the industry standard in photo and digital art, is the tool NCMEC’s forensic artists rely on to create our age progression images of missing children as they grow up, as well as our facial reconstruction images of identified deceased children.
Adobe recently offered to use its expertise to help highlight the work of the Center and gave our team of forensic artists a rare opportunity to meet some very special people. This video shines a light on the importance that age progressions have not only for the missing child, but for their families as well. Here’s a little bit more about the stories featured:
Hanna Lee and Skye Rex have been missing for over two years. They are now 9 and 7. Their biological mother allegedly abducted the girls from Waynesboro, PA after a custody hearing in 2020 granted their father, John Rex, full custody. John has not seen or heard from his daughters since. A NCMEC forensic artist completed these new age progressions of the Hanna and Skye in August. View Hanna and Skye’s missing poster here.
Age progression images of Hanna Lee (left) and Skye Rex (right).
Kayla Unbehaun has been missing since July 5, 2017 from South Elgin, Illinois – a suburb of Chicago. Kayla was allegedly abducted by her biological mother, Heather Unbehaun, when she was 9 years old. When Kayla’s father went to pick up his daughter after a visitation with her mother, he discovered that Heather had fled with Kayla. Kayla and her mother have not been seen since. View Kayla’s missing poster here.
Age progression image of Kayla Unbehaun at 14 years old.
While sharing the stories of these missing children, Adobe also highlights the recovery of Daniel Markus, who was found in 2017 after he was missing for three years. Daniel was found shortly after his story was featured on the TV show, “The Hunt with John Walsh.” Daniel’s father, Guy Markus, credits the media exposure for helping to find his missing son: “Using those age progression photos on the show, that’s how we found him.”
Age progression image of Daniel Markus (left) and recovery photo (right).
We hope this inspires you to think about the ways you can get involved with our mission. If you are ready to make an impact in your community, check out our volunteer page. There are tons of ways to help support NCMEC, from starting a birthday fundraiser on social media, to setting up a legacy gift. Get to know the options as you plan your charitable giving.
If you have any information about any of the missing children featured in this video, please call us at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
From everyone at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, have a safe and happy holiday season!