If a child in DFPS’s managing conservatorship runs away, is missing, or is believed to have been abducted, and the child’s whereabouts are unknown, the caseworker reports the child as missing to the appropriate law enforcement officials, so the child can be entered into the National Crime Information Center Database (NCIC) as a missing person.

See 6460 When A Child or Youth is Missing from DFPS Conservatorship.

If the law enforcement officials decline to enter the child into NCIC, the caseworker must do the following immediately, but no later than eight hours after learning of such a decision:

• Notifies the supervisor.
• Notifies SIPD for SI assignment.
• Requests for the SI to complete the CSCAL (Child Safety Check Alert List) Data Entry Form with the name of the law enforcement agency contacted and the Additional Child or Offender form, if necessary.
• Notifies the CPS regional director assistant or designee and provides identifying information about the following:
  • Child.
  • Name of the law enforcement agency contacted.
  • Number for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
• Continues searching for the child.

The caseworker and SI continue searching for the missing child until the child is found, or a court dismisses conservatorship of the child.

The SIPD must, within 24 hours of receiving the required forms, take actions listed in 3112 Making the Referral to Request CSCAL.

If the child is located, see:

3111.5 When the Family is Located During Diligent Search Process

6461.4 When a Child Who Is Missing Is Recovered

6461.5 Caseworker Actions When a Missing Child Returns to Care