For a missing child aged 13 or older, what is the reporting window to Licensing, Parents, and Law Enforcement?

• A. No later than 6 hours after discovery, with immediate reporting if trafficking risk or abduction suspected.
• B. Within 24 hours to Licensing only.
• C. Within 6 hours to Law Enforcement only.
• D. Within 48 hours to Parents only.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is urgent, multi-party notification when a child 13 or older goes missing. The correct approach is to report no later than six hours after discovery to Licensing, the parents, and Law Enforcement, with immediate reporting if there’s any trafficking risk or suspected abduction. This tight window allows agencies to coordinate quickly, marshal resources, and start searches and protective actions right away, which is critical for a teen who may be vulnerable to trafficking or harm.

If you suspect trafficking or abduction, there’s no time to wait—the moment you sense risk, inform Law Enforcement immediately and ensure Licensing and the parents are alerted as required. The other options would delay reporting or limit it to only one party, which could hinder a rapid, coordinated response.