What a great ending to such a traumatic experience for the family but most of all a girl who has been missing for a year! I was looking through the new stories at msnbc.com and they had story from my state about a 15 year old girl found who had been missing for a year. They found her locked in a hidden room under some stairs. This not only was in my state, hell, she was found in the town I happen to live in!!
Well thank god she was found, gives us as a nation hope that some missing kids are still alive. Those children who have not returned hopefully will be found and my thoughts are with them and their families.
I know that is amazing. I'm sure her parents are going through a range of emotions, but mostly relief and gratitude. The thing that soured it for me was our local coverage that ended with, "the police are not calling this an abduction yet, since the girl had run away before." Who cares?!??! She's home....
ReplyDeleteWe need your help getting the word out. The more people who know about and download this free non profit screen saver that shows missing children as they become listed is important. The first few hours after a child is missing are critical. Now everyone can help, please read on…..
ReplyDeleteAs seen on CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/09/screensaver.kids/index.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2007
Contact:
NCMEC Communications
(703) 837-6111
Ron Koning
Global Software Applications
(814) 342-3120
contact@missingkidsaver.com
NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN AND GLOBAL SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS INTRODUCE MISSING CHILDREN SCREENSAVER
Rotating Missing Child Pictures When the Computer is Idle
Washington, D.C., August 1, 2007 –The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) today announced a new tool for engaging the public in their search for missing children. “Missing Kid Saver” is a screensaver that will use idle computer power to display important images and information about missing children as soon as they are listed as missing. The software is an opt-in service and is available for free download at http://www.missingkidsaver.com. Global Software Applications (GSA), a private software company based in Philipsburg, PA, developed the software.
“Nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each year in the U.S. and thankfully, most are recovered quickly,” said Bob O’Brien, Executive Director, Missing Children Services at NCMEC. “Unfortunately, there are many who don’t get to go home right away and for those that remain missing it is vital that we all get involved in the search.”
“The first few hours a child is listed as missing are critical, having the screen saver update the missing children as soon as the become listed will help improve the chances of someone recognizing them and reporting it” said Ron Koning Vice President of Global Software Applications.
“Once downloaded to a user’s computer, “Missing Kid Saver” will function like a normal screensaver, appearing when the computer is left idle for a set period of time. It will rotate images of missing children that correspond to the user’s region or the entire country depending on what they chose to download. The images and information are pulled from NCMEC’s database in real time, so as a child becomes listed as missing their picture is broadcasted.” Added Mr. Koning
“Almost everybody knows that in the idle mode their computers display a nice picture, swimming fish or others. Now everyone can put all that wasted computer power to work for a noble cause helping get the word out faster and to a wider arena,” said Ron Koning, Vice President of GSA. “Think about the impact when schools, libraries, police barracks, fire stations and large offices display the missing child photos on their computers. A computer in a larger office space or at home works like an E-Billboard. Rotating pictures on a computer screen draws attention; it makes people talk, opens up discussions and in the best possible scenario reunites a family.”
“Missing Kid Saver is a partnership of NCMEC, GSA, and all those who are online and want to help search for these children,” said O’Brien. "We’re offering this new tool because we know that photos work. In fact, one in six of the children featured in our photo distribution effort is recovered as a direct result of the photo. This is an opportunity to work together to help bring missing children home.”
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
NCMEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping protect children from abduction and sexual exploitation. NCMEC’s congressionally mandated CyberTipline, a reporting mechanism for child sexual exploitation, has handled more than 494,000 leads. Since its establishment in 1984, NCMEC has assisted law enforcement with more than 133,000 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than 115,700 children. For more information about NCMEC, call its toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit www.missingkids.com.
About Global Software Applications (GSA)
GSA, a privately held company based in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, creates business center computer software (Internet Kiosk software) distributed by its dba SurferQuest. The company further specializes in custom-made software for Self-Service systems, Wayfinder and other dedicated applications.
Halfway into 2005, Global Software Applications/ SurferQuest introduced an interactive real-time publication of missing child photos on their public computers in hotels, resorts and internet cafes and was referred to by the Associated Press as “Modern Day Milk Cartons.”
1-888-733-4365.