Silver Alerts will Include “Missing Endangered Child” Category

Effective July 1st, Indiana House Bill 1248 becomes law and will amend Indiana Code 10-13-5-4.4 to include “missing endangered child”.
The amended law defines a ‘missing endangered child’ as a missing child who is believed to be incapable of returning to the missing child’s residence without assistance because of:
1. Mental illness;
2. Intellectual disability; or
3. Another physical or mental disability
The change in the law has resulted in an update to the Silver Alert criteria, as listed below:
1. The person must be a Missing Endangered Adult, Missing Endangered Child, High Risk Missing Person or have a mental impairment validated through a credible medical authority (Physician, Physician’s Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner).
2. There must be enough descriptive information to believe the broadcast will help.
3. Request must be recommended by the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction.
4. Enter the person into Indiana Data and Communications System (IDACS) / National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
There is no change to the AMBER Alert criteria.