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An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

National Missing Children's Day

Missing Children

Access federal and federally-sponsored information and resources on missing children, find help for families, and locate materials for law enforcement and other personnel and service providers.

Commemorating National Missing Children’s Day

Commemorating National Missing Children’s Day

Etan Patz, six years old, was walking to school in New York City when he disappeared on the morning of May 25, 1979.  He never made it, and he wasn’t reported missing until he didn’t return home that evening.  After his mother alerted the police, more than 100 police officers and bloodhounds embarked on an intensive search for the missing boy.  But he was never...