One Search Could Help Find a Missing Child
Here at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, we work every day to help bring missing children home. But we can’t do it alone; a big part of what we do depends on the eyes and actions of the public, people just like you.
One of the easiest and most impactful ways you can help is by searching for missing children in your area, right on our website.
Here’s how:
1. Go to ncmec.org.
2. Navigate to the “Get Help” tab and then click “Search for Missing Children.”
3. Use the filters on the left to narrow your search, choose a state, add age range, gender or even a date last seen. Hit search!
4. Click on any child’s poster to see their photos, details and ways that you can help.
We can also show you all the missing kids near you. Just click "Search Near Me" at the bottom of the search tool and you'll see a geo-targeted list of missing kids within a 50-mile redius of where you are. We encourage everyone to use this feature and stay up to date on any kids who are missing in your area.
Whether you're looking for missing children near your home or you’re traveling somewhere new, your eyes could be the ones that make a difference. Recognizing a face, sharing a poster or submitting a tip might change everything.
And remember—always check that the information you see online about missing kids comes from a trusted source. Misinformation can do real harm. Not sure what’s real and what's not? Read our blog “Don't Be Fooled: Tips for Spotting Fake Missing Child Posters” for tips on how to spot common red flags and avoid social media scams.
At the end of the day, all it takes is one person to see something and say something to bring a child home.
For more information on NCMEC resources visit our website at https://www.ncmec.org/home.