Can a child go "missing" in your home? (parents, son)

[PedroMartinez]

There is a recent story in the news where a non-vocalizing 3-year-old went missing which lead to a police search. In the story, the 3-year-old went down to the basement, wrapped itself in a blanket under a box and fell asleep. A short time later, the parents began searching for the child, and when not found, called the police. The police did a search and also could not locate the child in the house.

Do you feel it is "reasonable" that a parent was unable to locate the child and call police in this situation?

[flyonpa]

Yes, If they could not find him, The Police are the right call. They have the search & Rescue resources that can be brought in.

First would be the Responding officers to do a quick search of the Home, and immediate grounds around it,

Second would be to bring in a Police Dog to "Smell" around, Odds are the dog would have found him in the basement.

Then they call out the troops, House to House canvase, area search.

[irootoo]

Yes, and I think people would still be complaining either way because nowadays whatever you do in any situation is wrong according to 50% of the general population.

[Hopes]

It doesn't matter if losing the child is understandable or moronic, they did the right thing by calling the police when they couldn't find their child.

I can only relate this to when my cat goes off sleeping somewhere and we can't find her. We get afraid she got out of the house. If the same happened with a child, my fear would be multiplied a million times, and I'd definitely call the police.

I'm just glad that's all that happened and their child is okay.

[ScarletG]

Mine was never quiet for that long. ... lol. .. but I think the parents did the right thing with out a doubt....especially since the child was non verbal.

[Pitt Chick]

"Can a child go "missing" in your home? "
Nah.. but that is not the issue here.

THOSE parents could not find THEIR non-verbal child in THEIR home.
Calling the police was their next right step.

[rrah]

I am not familiar with the story you referenced, but I know I was moments away from calling the police when my three year old and his 5 year old friend went "missing" in the house. We had only moved in a couple of months before and there was a creek in the backyard (drowning possibility if they snuck out to it). My husband, 6 year old daughter, the friend's mother and I searched the house for 45 minutes including calling them many, many times. The little stinkers were hiding in plain sight crouched down between a couch and a bookcase. It amazes even years later they remained quiet all of that time and despite the fact that we all had walked within feet of them several times. One of them finally "broke," and I saw his head above the couch arm.

One never knows what a kid will do.

[brokensky]

In the 80s, a child went missing in an area near where I lived. I believe the child was about 4 or maybe 5 years old.

No one had noticed the child wandering in the neighborhood but the house had been searched and so the whole community was frantic. And of course, an abduction was suspected after a day or so.

As it turned out, the father had a metal tool chest of some sort, and the child had managed to crawl in, the lid close and he suffocated in the chest. The chest was right there in the home - maybe on a porch or in an outbuilding - I can't remember the circumstances exactly. Because the chest was comparatively small (not big like a trunk) no one had perceived a child could crawl in it, but with knees to chin (fetal position), yes, a child fit in that tiny space.

There was no suspicion about child abuse and no sign of the child being abused, so the parents/family were never under suspicion of actually "stuffing" the child into the box.

So yes, a child can hide and even die on the premises. A child can drown in only 2 inches of water, for example, and if the pond is surrounded by tall grasses, it could take folks a while to notice a child was missing and/or in distress.

Best to call law enforcement as soon as a parent realizes he/she doesn't know where a child is.

[shaylahc]

I have heard of kids falling asleep in closets or laundry baskets and "go missing". Sometimes they hide on purpose to be little turds.

Just a few days ago my 9 year old son was angry and ran away from me at a large park. I was furious, but did not call the cops even though I could not find him. His 13 year old sister was able to track him down. It is tempting to call the police when your kid goes missing, in my case my son is 9 so I knew he wasn't in danger like a 4 or 5 year old would be.

Whatever it takes to keep your little people safe.

[Molli]

I know what story you are talking about. It lead to a police officer shooting and killing a dog in its own backyard while the police were searching for the child.