This is one of my biggest peeves about missing children and especially teens. IMO any child above a certain age LE seems to assume is a runaway. It makes me angry, I think all should be treated the same- as if they are truly lost/hurt/kidnapped/murdered until actual evidence shows otherwise. I think we are throwing children away by claiming so many are runaways and not putting all resources out to find them. I am convince when LE says runaway or possible runaway, say on a poster, many don't look for them; when it is said on the news people tune out. LE may not have enough resources to pursue each case full on; but just leaving the word runaway out of the mix would mean more public eyes looking and listening I am sure.
This policy is making it easier for kidnappers/molesters/murderers and even human traffickers IMO. So sad.