MOORHEAD, Minn. (Valley News Live) – Moorhead police posted nine missing teenagers on social media in March, prompting officials to explain how they respond when a child disappears and what families should know about the search process.
To date, four of the nine teens have been found safe. One is considered “endangered.”
According to Minnesota law, a missing minor is automatically classified as “endangered” after 30 days of being reported. When a teen is endangered, other agencies often get involved.
“If you see missing-endangered, that’s a different level than if someone has run away from home and they haven’t been found yet,” said Assistant Chief, Bill Ahlfeldt, of the Moorhead Police Department.
He explained teens could also be classified as endangered for other aggravated factors, like mental health issues, inclement weather during time of search, or possible abduction. Amber Alerts are only sent out when an abduction is present.
Assistant Chief Ahlfedt said nine missing teens in March was not an unusual number, but every case is treated as worst-case scenario.
“Even if this is someone who’s runaway from home multiple times, we have to treat every single report as worst case scenario,” he said.
Officers often investigate the child’s home, friends, or family before making a social media post. Posts sometimes are not made, especially in juvenile cases, if parental consent is not given for the child to be on social media. When they are posted, police rely heavily on tips.
Depending on the situation, it could be one officer or multiple agencies investigating a missing teen case.
“It can go from one person finding a kid in the closet, to the entire metro if need be doing a search,” Ahlfedt said.
Moorhead police are also clearing up misconceptions of needing to wait before making a missing persons report. There is no 24-hour rule — a report can be made the second you cannot find someone.
“Statistically, it’s the first two hours that are most important for us to find that individual before bad things could happen,” he added.
Moorhead Police said their missing juvenile posts never come down. They’re updated online, but Ahlfeldt reminds the community to keep comment sections respectful during a family’s search.
Authorities also indicated even after a teen is found, the work doesn’t stop there. Teens can be connected with local groups and resources to prevent any possible runaway behaviors.
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