Unfortunately it also means they won't LOOK for her/them and that is the problem.
Many times these children may have left but they were tricked or lured, into leaving which means they are in DANGER . It ticks me off that LE just labels them 'runaways' leaving them out there....alone...vulnerable.
But I would say MOST of the time (IMO) these children have not left by their own choice and that is where critical hunting time comes into play. Wait too long sitting on your (LE) hands saying 'they will come home'and the trail goes icy quickly.
Auburn: I agree - but let me ask you ...
look where? Where do they look next? From what I understand, there has been a lot of investigating done. LE has NOT ignored this case and has checked out as much as they can. In addition, the family has the Laura Recovery Center and a PI assisting to locate Ali.
Areas close to her home and on her path to work were searched to rule out death, local news casts, benefits, the posting of missing flyers in the area - notifying the school and fellow classmates is a HUGE missing person notification system to get her photo and the news out, her missing information is in several places on the Internet (including notification to all who are members of the Laura Recovery Center).
... the only other thing I can think of to do next is national news.
What do you think should be done next to locate this child? If you know of things that should have been done early on, can you provide details?
When I was a teenager, I ran away for about a month because I was angry with my parents (looking back 25+ years later; yes it was stupid and foolish-and yes, I regret the pain and suffering I caused them and my friends). I went to a remote area 18 miles away. I was not around the public and only two persons even knew I was there. It would not have mattered if they searched the wooded areas near our home. Speaking to my close friends and work was of NO assistance to LE (they didn't know where I was either) nor did my classmates. Three people knew where I was (my sister - who of course did not tell anyone) and the two I stayed with - they were 18 miles away! It was a stupid kid thing ... stupid, stupid, stupid! I ran away because I felt my parents were unfairly punishing my little sister; actually it had nothing to do with me personally. Upon my return, we got family counseling to address the issue. My little sister was still punished for her bad grades - nothing was accomplished by me running away. It was STUPID and if I could turn back time ....
I guess my point is; if Ali is 18 miles away (whether on her own will or not) searching the 10 mile wooded area adjacent to her house will be fruitless! I have seen hundreds of person spend a whole day in a search area and not find a single clue because they are 10 miles off.
I think it is safe to say that most people within a 10 mile radius of Ali's home are aware that she is missing. I am just thankful that the media continues to keep this awareness alive and expand a greater distance from her home.
What can we do to reach this child if she is a runaway to convince her to come back home? How do we reach her? And if, God forbid, she is no longer with us, how do we find her?