msphilosopher
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I think to be successful, Amber Alerts should be reserved for cases where the victim is at serious immediate risk of injury/death. Using Amber Alerts in relatively mundane "abductions" like family disputes or runaways lessens their significance for the real emergencies.
I have to disagree respectfully. Family abductions are not mundane. In custody disputes, the abductor is unfit to be the legal guardian. This puts the child in danger. A child under 5 is most likely to be killed by a relative than a stranger. See stats below... a little out dated from 2005 but I doubt it has drastically changed.
As for run aways, the most troubling part is that it's hard to prove that they aren't in danger. The idea may have sounded cool at the time but then realized they were lied to, manipulated, and/or sold into human trafficking or prostitution.
I think these are real emergencies and not a burden on the public.
[h=3]Stranger Danger?[/h]Of all children under age 5 murdered from 1976-2005 —
31% were killed by fathers
29% were killed by mothers
23% were killed by male acquaintances
7% were killed by other relatives
3% were killed by strangers
http://www.freerangekids.com/crime-statistics/