A number of videos on social media platforms imply that mass kidnappings of children and teens are taking place in Virginia, particularly in NOVA and Hampton Roads.
The videos on TikTok and Facebook question why the number of missing children is not front-page news.
“A mass kidnapper in VA 19 kids missing in 10 days watch your kids please!”
“39 missing kids just in a week. There’s a mass kidnapper in Virginia, please dont let your children out of your sight”
“I dont feel like we are talking about all these black and brown kids and teens missing in Virginia. Theres been 9 more this week.”
“Please keep your kids home and safe! Idk what’s going on in VA but I pray these kids are found and safe!”
“since the beginning of august there has been over 40/50 TEENS that have been kidnapped/missing IN VA near VA BEACH AND the richmond area. there is a mass kidnapping please watch your kids”
“It’s actually 40 kids missing in 20 days. National security and national gaurd just had a meeting about this and what’s even more sad is this isn’t being told to people. So here I am PARENTS IF VA please keep watch on your children! There is a mass kidnapping happening. If they walk a distance tell them to walk in a crowd. If not don’t stop at all!”
“Why isn’t this shit on the news? Where are these kids going? Keep your kids close to you!! Keep your eyes on them!! Something is very wrong here in VA.”
“WHERE ARE THESE CHILDREN?”
“THERES NO NEWS OUTLETS, AMBER ALERTS, NOTHING on these missing children!!”
While the videos and posts have garnered millions of views, Virginia State Police said there is no evidence to support the claims.
“Virginia State Police is not investigating any reports of mass abductions in Virginia, nor is there evidence of mass abductions occurring in Virginia,” the agency said in a news release sent Wednesday.
Most of the children that are reported missing are runaways, according to VSP, and return shortly after being reported missing.
AMBER and CODI alert protocols
When children are reported missing at the local level, authorities are required to notify Virginia State Police within two hours.
- On average, 98 children are reported missing weekly in Virginia.
- To date this year, there have been a total of 3,274 children reported to the Virginia Missing Children Clearinghouse; only 141 are still missing.
Despite the large number of children reported missing so far this year, VSP has only issued two Amber Alerts and 25 CODI alerts for missing children.
VSP said the reason for the low number of alerts is due to the criteria law enforcement must meet to activate the alerts.
Criteria for an AMBER alert
- The abducted child must be 17 years of age or younger or currently enrolled in a secondary school in the Commonwealth, regardless of age, and the reporting law enforcement agency believes the child has been abducted (unwillingly taken from their environment without permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian).
- The law enforcement agency believes the missing child is in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death.
- A law enforcement investigation has taken place that verified the abduction or eliminated alternative explanations.
- Sufficient information is available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the child, suspect, and/or the suspect’s vehicle.
- The child must be entered into the Virginia Criminal Information Network and the National Crime Information Center missing person files as soon as practical.
If all of the aforementioned criteria are not met, the Virginia AMBER Alert Plan will not be activated.
Criteria for a CODI alert
- Each law enforcement agency shall investigate the matter to verify the disappearance, and eliminate alternative explanations where evidence is lacking. Information must be established to meet the definition of a missing or endangered child. Also, sufficient information must be available to disseminate to the public to assist in locating the missing child, to include a vehicle if there is one, in order to activate the alert. Elements for a missing or endangered child:
- Any person 17 years of age or younger or is currently enrolled in a secondary school in the Commonwealth.
- The child’s whereabouts are unknown.
- The child’s disappearance is under suspicious circumstances or poses a credible threat as determined by law enforcement to the safety and health of the child.
- Based on any other circumstances as deemed appropriate by the Virginia State Police.
VSP: Tips to help keep children safe
- Have your child practice making 9-1-1 calls from both a cell phone and a landline (unplugged or with batteries removed).
- Make sure your child knows not to accept rides from strangers and not to trust a stranger who suggests they go off alone together for any reason, for example, to find a lost puppy, etc.
- Tell your child to let you know immediately if another adult suggests keeping secrets from you.
- Never leave your child alone in the car, even for a minute.
More information
Anyone with information on a missing child is asked to contact (804) 674-2000 or (804) 674-2026. You may also email [email protected]
- Missing Children Clearinghouse
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
- Missing children in Virginia
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Crystal Graham
