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\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS SUBJECT Missing Juveniles/Interference with Custody CHIEF OF POLICE Signature on File Proudly Policing Since 1826 Nationally Accredited 1986 NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES 43 05/05/1995 11/03/2025 15 AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES CIB10, Case Management CIB12, Follow-up Investigations CIRC 2.11, Missing Person Response CIRC 7, Follow-Up Investigations FDLE Criminal Justice Systems Manual FS Chapter 39, Proceedings Relating to Children FS 744.301, Natural Guardians FS 787.03, Interference with Custody FS 787.04, Removing Minors from State or Concealing Contrary to Court Order FS Chapter 937, Missing Person Investigations General Order 12, Radio Communications General Order 18, Criminal Investigations General Order 32, Juvenile Procedures and Programs General Order 47, Missing Adult Investigations RCD 9, Validations ACCREDITATION REFERENCES CALEA Chapter 41 CFA Chapter 18 KEY WORD INDEX Annual Review Procedure VI Additional Responsibilities- Missing Juveniles Procedure II Initial Responsibilities- Missing Juveniles Procedure I Interference with Custody Complaints Procedure VII Investigative Follow-Up Procedure III Recovery and Cancellation Procedures Procedure IV Validation Procedures Procedure V\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY Officers are responsible for adhering to legal mandates and policy protocols in investigating missing juvenile incidents and addressing child custody disputes. DEFINITIONS A Child Is Missing: A non-profit organization that operates a 24-hour call center to assist law enforcement in locating missing children, the elderly, and disabled individuals. A Child Is Missing utilizes a phone bank, determined by the zip code of the search area, to disseminate information on the missing individuals in a timely manner (referred to as a “neighborhood call alert”). Contact number: 1- 888-875-2246; website: www.achildismissing.org. Amber Alert: A program managed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and designed to broadcast critical information of a missing/abducted child believed to be in danger, using the Emergency Alert System (via radio, television, dynamic message signs, and lottery machines). An Amber Alert can be activated 24 hours a day by contacting FDLE’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse at 1-888-356-4774 (1-888-FL- MISSING). An Amber Alert cannot be utilized for runaway juveniles. FDLE requires the following five (5) criteria to be met to activate an Amber Alert: 1. The child must be under the age of 18. 2. Law Enforcement has a well-founded belief, based on an active investigation, that a kidnapping has occurred. 3. Law Enforcement has a well-founded belief, based on an active investigation, that the child is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury. 4. There is a detailed description of the child, and/or the abductor/vehicle to broadcast to the public. 5. The law enforcement agency of jurisdiction must recommend the activation. Child: A person under the age of 18; also referred to as a juvenile. MEPIC: Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. A Florida Department of Law Enforcement program that provides liaison among citizens, GENERAL ORDER 43 PAGE 2 of 15 MISSING JUVENILES/INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY NOVEMBER 3, 2025\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT private organizations, and law enforcement agencies regarding missing children information. MEPIC services are available 24 hours a day and can be accessed at 1-888-356- 4774 (1-888-FL-MISSING). MEPIC complements the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), which is the national clearinghouse for information on cases of abducted, runaway, and/or sexually exploited youth. Parenting Plan: A court-approved or court-established document that includes a time-sharing schedule for the parents and child(ren). Protective Custody: The action of an officer physically removing a juvenile from their present surroundings because the current situation creates a reasonable fear for the juvenile’s life, or physical or mental health. Time-sharing Schedule: A timetable which specifies the time, including overnights and holidays, that a child will spend with each parent. PROCEDURES I. INITIAL RESPONSIBILITIES – MISSING JUVENILES A. Upon being dispatched or otherwise made aware of a report of a missing juvenile, officers are responsible for responding to the call for service without delay. B. When investigating a missing juvenile incident, officers are responsible for adhering to the applicable protocols of General Order 18 (Criminal Investigations), and shall: 1. Interview the missing juvenile’s parent(s)/guardian(s) (separately if possible) regarding the circumstances of the incident. 2. Determine if the child has been abducted or left home/the area voluntarily. 3. Promptly notify their immediate supervisor when any of the following criteria are met: a. The absence is a significant deviation from the child’s established patterns of behavior, which cannot be explained, or GENERAL ORDER 43 PAGE 3 of 15 MISSING JUVENILES/INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY NOVEMBER 3, 2025\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT b. The child has been missing for 24 or more hours before the police were called, or c. Any of the following apply to the missing juvenile: 1) Under the age of 13, 2) Believed to be out of their “zone of safety” (the area usually occupied by a child which is considered safe or under their control), 3) Mentally incapacitated (a child not operating up to their mental capacity for their age and who may not have the skills to communicate needs, identity, or address), 4) Drug dependent, 5) A potential victim of foul play, sexual exploitation, or in a dangerous environment (i.e., a place which is dangerous by virtue of the child’s developmental age), or 6) Believed to be with adults who could endanger the welfare of the child. 4. Verify all biographical data given about the missing juvenile, specifically including complete name spelling, any alias used, date of birth, and county, city, and state of birth. 5. If appropriate for the circumstances (i.e., not an abduction or missing infant), request the parent/guardian to make a list of the missing juvenile’s friends, and direct the parent/guardian to contact the friends to determine if the child has made contact or if they know the whereabouts of the missing juvenile. 6. Note everyone present at the incident scene, and include their contact information in the offense report. 7. Obtain a physical description and recent photograph of the missing juvenile. 8. Whenever possible, search the missing juvenile’s home. a. Obtain permission to search the home. If permission (consent) is not granted, a search cannot be conducted without a warrant or the existence of some exigent circumstance. GENERAL ORDER 43 PAGE 4 of 15 MISSING JUVENILES/INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTODY NOVEMBER 3, 2025\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT b. If permission to search is given, look in all places a child could be physically located. 1) The child may have fallen asleep somewhere and not be able to get out. 2) Such places could include old refrigerators, attics, closets, crawl spaces, under beds, and piles of clothes. 3) During the search, officers should be alert to clues that may indicate foul play or other reasons for the missing juvenile’s disappearance. C. If officers become aware that the missing juvenile is under the guardianship of the Florida Department of Children and Families (e.g., Capital City Youth Services, Boys Town, foster care), that information shall be included in the offense report (also see II D 1). II. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES – MISSING JUVENILES A. In addition to the initial responsibilities listed in section I above, officers, investigators, and supervisors investigating a missing juvenile incident shall ensure the following protocols are followed: 1