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National Missing Children's Day

38th National Missing Children's Day Video Remarks from John Clark, NCMEC

May 2021
NCMEC President and CEO John F. Clark discusses the impact of the AMBER Alert in galvanizing communities to bring missing children home by providing critical information using all available technologies. Mr. Clark also provides a warning regarding a new spike in AMBER Alerts related to children left unattended in cars.

OJJDP Acting Administrator Jones National Missing Children’s Day Video Message

May 2021
OJJDP Acting Administrator Chyrl Jones expresses her gratitude to this year's National Missing Children's Day awardees and also discusses several of the powerful partnerships the Office supports including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force program.

38th Annual National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest Now Open

JUVJUST - National Missing Children's Day 38th Annual Poster Contest

OJJDP invites fifth graders to participate in the 38th Annual National Missing Children's Day poster contest. This nationwide contest creates an opportunity for schools, law enforcement, and other child advocates to discuss the issue of missing and/or exploited children with youth, parents, and guardians and to promote child safety. Poster contest winners will be recognized at the Department of Justice’s National Missing Children's Day commemoration...

OJJDP Accepting Nominations for National Missing Children's Day Awards

Each year, the U.S. Department of Justice, through OJJDP, recognizes the extraordinary efforts of individuals, organizations, and agencies that have made a significant contribution to protecting children between November 15, 2019 and November 20, 2020. The Department recognizes the awardees each May at the annual National Missing Children's Day ceremony in Washington, DC. The ceremony is planned for May 19, 2021 (tentative).  OJJDP will make the...

OJJDP Observes National Missing Children's Day

May 25, 2020 National Missing Children's Day

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25 as National Missing Children's Day in memory of Etan Patz, a 6-year-old boy who disappeared from a New York City street corner. Each year, National Missing Children’s Day is encourages parents, guardians, caregivers, and others concerned with the well-being of children to make child safety a priority.

On May 20, 2020, the Department of Justice announced the...

OJJDP Announces 2019 National Missing Children's Day Poster Contest

OJJDP invites fifth graders to participate in the 2019 National Missing Children's Day poster contest. The annual contest creates an opportunity for schools, law enforcement, and other child advocates to discuss the issue of missing and/or exploited children with youth, parents, and guardians and to promote child safety.

OJJDP will invite the national winner, parents, teacher, and state clearinghouse manager to Washington, DC, to...

OJJDP Announces 2018 National Missing Children's Day Poster Contest

OJJDP invites fifth graders to participate in the 2018 National Missing Children's Day poster contest. The annual contest creates an opportunity for schools, law enforcement, and other child advocates to discuss the issue of missing and/or exploited children with youth, parents, and guardians and to promote child safety. OJJDP will invite the national winner, parents, teacher, and state clearinghouse manager to Washington, DC, to...

OJJDP Accepting Nominations for National Missing Children's Day Awards

Each year, the U.S. Department of Justice, through OJJDP, recognizes individuals, organizations, and law enforcement agencies that have made a difference in recovering abducted children and protecting children from exploitation. The Department recognizes the awardees each May at the annual National Missing Children's Day ceremony in Washington, DC. Access the nomination forms for the 2018 National Missing Children's Day awards online: