When kids go missing

Dora Taylor, Charger Staff

Many adolescents come up missing every year. For many different reasons teenagers are more prone to be missing than adults or small children.

One major reason is that teenagers are more prone to run away on their own free will. Kids from the age of 13 to 18 often have a feeling of being misunderstood by their family and will go missing for days. Also, it is much easier to coerce teenagers to rebel (running away with people they don’t know well) than it is small children.

How often does this happen in Cookeville? Think it doesn’t happen? Think again.

In 2001, 25 juveniles and 3 adults were reported missing in our city. Only 10 out of 28 have been recovered since then.

So far in 2002, 6 juveniles and 2 adults have been reported missing. Only 3 out of 8 have been recovered.

If they are not found, what are some of the circumstances runaways fall into? Some kids will turn to living on the streets, instead of living in an environment at home they detest. Some will turn to petty robbery for food and other necessities. Depending on what city the runaway is in, rape and homicide are the most common consequences of being alone and vulnerable in unfamiliar, unprotected territory.

If missing people are missing for an extended amount of time, their chances of being found decreases rapidly.
There are common traits of runaways: isolation, withdrawl, anger, and depression .

If you know someone is going to runnaway, let him know that you care about him. Reach out to people who do not receive the encouragement and love they deserve. Let his or her parents know. No matter how angry your friend may become with you, wouldn’t you rather have a happy, healthy, and live friend, as opposed to a sick, abused, or dead friend.

If you are thinking about running away, weigh the consequences of this act. People in your family will be devastated because no matter how much you disagree on stuff, you are loved dearly by your family, and they will be hurt over the loss.

Communication is the biggest factor that can prevent runaway situations. Express your feelings and allow others to express their feelings freely.

Copyright 2003 Cookeville High School