Every Missing Child Has a Story: New 2025 Statistics Highlight Hope, Recovery and Protection
On May 25, 1979, 6-year-old Etan Patz vanished on his way to the school bus in New York City. Each year, on the anniversary of his disappearance, the nation observes National Missing Children’s Day, honoring missing children and reminding us that every missing child has a story, a family and a future that matters.
At NCMEC, that belief drives everything we do. Hope is more than wishful thinking. It is a strategy, a commitment and a promise to never stop searching. As threats facing children evolve, so do we.
This National Missing Children’s Day, we are highlighting the work NCMEC does every day to protect children, support families and help bring missing kids home. Our newly released 2025 statistics reflect the full scope of that work, but these numbers are more than just data points. They represent children recovered, victims protected, families supported and the moments when hope led to answers.
In 2025...
- NCMEC assisted with 32,167 cases of missing children. 90% of those missing children were recovered.
- NCMEC’s CyberTipline received 21.3 million reports, including 61.8 million files. Since 1998, the CyberTipline has received more than 225 million reports.
- NCMEC’s Team Adam, a network of retired law enforcement professionals who provide support and response in cases of long-term missing children and critically missing children, supported 296 cases.
- NCMEC received 1.4 million reports of online enticement, a 158% increase from 2024.
- NCMEC’s team of four forensic artists completed 187 age progression images of long-term missing children and 75 facial reconstructions for unidentified deceased children.
- NCMEC’s CyberTipline received 113,530 reports of child sex trafficking, a 323% increase from 2024.
- NCMEC’s safety materials were downloaded and viewed in 148 countries, and our safety videos received 102 million views.
Although the world children are growing up in can feel increasingly complex and challenging, NCMEC’s commitment to protecting them continues to grow stronger every day. On this National Missing Children’s Day, everyone has a role to play in helping bring missing children home and supporting ongoing efforts to keep kids safe. You can make a difference by taking simple, meaningful actions:
- Search missing posters in your area and stay alert to those who may need help.
- Talk to your children about personal and online safety and what to do if they ever feel unsafe or need assistance.
- Learn how NCMEC supports families and works alongside law enforcement to help locate missing children and protect children from exploitation.
- Share information and help spread awareness about missing children and the importance of community involvement.
Every share, every conversation and every moment of awareness helps to expand the network of people looking out for children and brings us one step closer to bringing a missing child home. Thank you for standing with us in our commitment to give every child a safe childhood.
To learn more about NCMEC’s work in 2025, view our full 2025 Impact Report here: https://www.missingkids.org/ourwork/impact.