Amber Alert: Keeping Our Children Safe

Introduction

It is a parent’s worst nightmare to not know where their child is. In the United States, over 800,000 children go missing each year. The Amber Alert system helps law enforcement and the public find missing children. The system is named after Amber Hagerman, a nine-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in 1996.

What is an Amber Alert?

An Amber Alert is an emergency alert system that uses broadcast systems, social media, and electronic billboards to quickly spread information about a missing child. The system is activated in the event of an abduction or when a child is in danger. The goal is to alert the public and to provide information to help locate the child quickly.

How Does It Work?

When an Amber Alert is issued, law enforcement sends out a message to all available resources, including media outlets, highway signs, and social media. The message includes a description of the missing child, any suspects or vehicles involved, and any other relevant information. The system operates under rigorous standards to ensure that only the most serious cases get Amber Alerts.

The Importance of the Amber Alert System

The Amber Alert system has saved countless lives since its inception in 1996. Over 1,000 children have been found safe as a direct result of Amber Alerts. The system has received widespread support from the public, as it gives parents and caregivers hope that their child will be found and safely returned home.

What Should You Do If You See an Amber Alert?

If you see an Amber Alert, the most important thing you can do is to stay vigilant and keep an eye out for anything that might be relevant to the case. If you see a vehicle or person that matches the description in the Amber Alert, call 911 or your local law enforcement agency.

Conclusion

The Amber Alert system plays an essential role in keeping our children safe. While we hope that we never have to use the system, it is comforting to know that it is there if we need it. By staying up-to-date on Amber Alerts and keeping an eye out for anything suspicious, we can all play a part in bringing missing children home safely.

WHAT IS AN AMBER ALERT?

An AMBER ALERT is the backronym for “America’s Missing: Broadcasting Emergency Response.” The purpose of an AMBER ALERT is to put an entire community on notice and use all resources available, both governmental and public, to stop the abductions of children in the United States.  AMBER ALERTS have been adopted by many countries outside the U.S. including Australia, France, Ireland and Mexico.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN AMBER ALERT IS ISSUED?

When an AMBER ALERT is issued the local law enforcement agency, upon confirmation of a serious abduction, will issue statewide alerts that are sent to broadcasters, transportation agencies, and individuals.  Today there exist programs where individuals can be informed directly through a text message that an AMBER ALERT has been issued and to be on the lookout.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR ISSUING AN AMBER ALERT?

There are a number of specific criteria that law enforcement will follow in issuing an AMBER ALERT.  The reason for this is to prevent abuse of the system.  The fear is that if AMBER ALERTS become common tools in law enforcement then the public will cease to pay attention to them.

One of the first things that law enforcement looks at is the confirmation of an abduction.  No AMBER ALERT can be issued unless this minimum threshold is met.  The more egregious the abduction the higher the likelihood that an AMBER ALERT will be issued.  Police are more likely to issue an AMBER ALERT in situations dealing with children abducted by strangers rather than those abducted by relatives.

Other criteria include that the law enforcement agency believes that the abducted individual is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.  When a stranger is the abductor law enforcement will take the threat of serious bodily injury much more seriously.

Also to be considered is the age of the child.  AMBER ALERTS may be issued for the abductions of children “17 years of age or younger.” However this is the maximum age for issuing an AMBER ALERT and many States require that the abducted child be of an age much younger than that.  Many States have adopted plans in which an AMBER ALERT issued in one State will be issued in another State, even if the latter States age requirement would be offended.  The only criterion required is that the age of the child falls within the limit prescribed by the issuing State.

Probably most important for a successful recovery is that amount of data that law enforcement possesses on both the child and the abductor.  The outcome of child abduction is much more likely to have a positive result if law enforcement has more information to disseminate.  Preferable data include the name, age, and description of the child being abducted and the age, name, description of the abductor as well as the make and model of any vehicle used in the abduction along with its license plate numbers.

HAS THE PROGRAM BEEN SUCCESSFUL?

According to data by the U.S. Department of Justice, AMBER ALERTS have resulted in the successful recovery of 540 children and in many cases it has found to be a successful deterrent.  Specifically in one situation an abductor released a child after hearing that an AMBER ALERT had been issued.  It remains heavily artillery in the fight against child abduction.

A Guide to Child Maintenance: Understanding Your Financial Responsibility for Your Children

Introduction

When a couple with children goes through a divorce or separation, one of the most important things to consider is child maintenance. This is the financial responsibility of a non-resident parent to provide financial assistance in the upbringing of their child. Child maintenance plays a crucial role in ensuring the child’s well-being and providing them with the support they need to thrive.

What is Child Maintenance?

Child maintenance is a financial contribution from the non-resident parent to help support the everyday living expenses of the child’s primary caregiver. This can include things like food, clothing, housing, education, and healthcare.

How is Child Maintenance Calculated?

Child maintenance is usually calculated using a formula based on the non-resident parent’s income. The formula takes into account several factors, including the number of children, the non-resident parent’s income, and how much time the non-resident parent spends with the child. The formula ensures that the non-resident parent pays a fair amount towards their child’s upbringing.

Different Types of Child Maintenance

There are two types of child maintenance – voluntary and statutory. Voluntary child maintenance is an agreement made between the non-resident parent and the child’s primary caregiver. This can be done informally or through a legal agreement. Statutory child maintenance is arranged through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), which is responsible for ensuring the non-resident parent pays their share. The CMS has the power to collect payments through various means, including wage deduction orders.

What Happens in Case of Non-Payment?

If a non-resident parent fails to make their child maintenance payments, legal action can be taken against them. This can include court orders, fines, and even imprisonment in extreme cases. Non-payment of child maintenance can have serious consequences, including impacting the child’s ability to access basic necessities.

Conclusion

Child maintenance is an important aspect of ensuring that children receive the support and financial assistance they need to thrive. It is essential to understand your financial responsibility as a non-resident parent and fulfill it accordingly. By making regular child maintenance payments, you can help ensure your child’s well-being and provide them with the resources they need to grow into strong, independent adults.

What is Child Maintenance?

Child maintenance or better known as child support is regular, reliable financial support that aims to help satisfy a child’s everyday living costs. Those parents who do not hold custody, meaning those parents who are not responsible for day-to-day care of the child will pay child maintenance to the other parent.

Child maintenance cases, their amounts and the determination of who is the obligor (parent who pays the other parent) and the oblige (parent who receives child maintenance) are handled by a local court system’s family law department. Each child maintenance case is different and will necessitate some form of legal guidance; all child maintenance cases and their intricate regulations will differentiate based on locality.

Child Maintenance is instituted and maintained to provide financial support for both the child and oblige; child maintenance is issued to a single parent after a relationship has been terminated in some fashion. Child maintenance is issued by a family court of law to the parent or caretaker of the child to satisfy rearing expenses, such as food, clothing, health care, education, diapers, toys, etc. In essence, the purpose of a child maintenance program is to establish a sense and state of being, that would be similar, in terms of financially, had the parents remained together.

As stated before, all child maintenance cases are administered and ruled-on by a family law division in a particular jurisdiction. In addition to the ruling, the presiding legal authority will determine the rate of payment for the parties involved. Each court system will utilize specific variables to determine the rate of payment; however, in general, there are universal factors which greatly influence the rate of pay for the parties involved.

Determining Child Maintenance Payments:

Although child support laws are different between each state, in general, there are three primary criteria in determining a child support payment rate. The first, and arguably most influential factor, is income; the amount of income earned by both parents, will be factored into the determination of child support.

The second factor is custodial responsibility; child support will be offered to the parent who most adequately maintains their role as a responsible caretaker. And lastly, the number of children will be evaluated when determining the rate of a child support payment; the higher the number of children involved in a child support settlement, the higher the prospective child support payments will be. This relationship exists, because more children is proportional to more responsibility, including both parental and financial.

Child Maintenance Laws:

In the United States, all state governments maintain unique child support laws. For instance, child maintenance support laws of California will differentiate from New York Child maintenance laws. Understanding your state’s applicable child maintenance laws will expedite your filing and organize your particular case. According to all state’s child maintenance laws, every child needs financial and emotional support from both parents; the average child support program benefits all children by enforcing parental responsibility for their support.