When a youth in foster care is determined to be missing the case manager shall:

1.  Immediately, but no later than two (2) hours, file a missing child complaint with the appropriate law enforcement (LE) agency.

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  • Document the LE agency name and phone number, report number, and the name of the person taking the report in the electronic case record. 
  • The placement provider has the authority to make the initial report to law enforcement, 210.795 RSMo. Oftentimes they are the first person to become aware a youth is missing and can most efficiently and effectively initiate the report. In the event the placement provider makes the initial report, the case manager should follow up with law enforcement to ensure all necessary information was provided, including the worker’s contact information.

Note: In addition to state statute, Federal law requires law enforcement to take a report of missing children/youth under the age of twenty-one (21). The missing child’s entry shall not be removed from any database or system until the child is found or the case is closed. If the local law enforcement agency refuses to take a missing child/person report, staff should contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol for assistance. Troop information can be found at https://statepatrol.dps.mo.gov/. Staff should contact the appropriate troop and request to speak to the MULES trainer. Staff should explain the situation and ask the MULES trainer to assist by contacting the local law enforcement agency.

2.  Within two (2) hours, make a report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

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  • Reports are made to NCMEC by phone at 1-800-THE-LOST or online at https://cmfc.missingkids.org/reportit 
  • NCMEC requires a photo of the youth in order to publish the missing person poster online. If a photo is not available at the time of the initial reporting to NCMEC one must be provided as soon as possible.
  • Document the report number and the name of the person taking the report in the electronic case record. Contact their supervisor and circuit manager/agency director to notify them of the missing youth and seek guidance.

3.  Contact their supervisors and circuit manager/FCCM agency director to notify them of the missing youth and seek guidance.

4. Within 24 hours, inform and obtain information about the child’s disappearance from the child’s parents, known relatives, out-of-home caregivers, attorney, guardian or Guardian ad Litem (GAL), court appointed special advocate (CASA), juvenile officer (JO), Indian tribe (as applicable), or any other person known to the department who may have relevant information regarding the child’s disappearance, 210.795(3) RSMo.

5.  Within 24 hours, request a Capias Order, commonly referred to as a “Pick-Up” Order, from the juvenile court. The order should contain after-hours phone numbers for whomever CD desires to be called when the youth is located. This order alerts law enforcement to the fact that a youth is under the court’s jurisdiction and is missing. The order gives law enforcement instructions to return the child to CD. The juvenile office may have the ability to enter the order into the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) or the JO may need to be sent to a law enforcement agency for entry. Without this order being entered into MULES law enforcement may not have knowledge that the child is in foster care.

Note: If the juvenile officer will not request a capias order staff should make a referral to the   Division of Legal Services (DLS) to request assistance in filing for an order. Staff should utilize the standard DLS case referral form and be sure to include when the youth went missing, the last time CD received communication from the youth, and any available information about their possible whereabouts. DLS information and forms are located on the DSS Intranet at https://dssintranet.mo.gov/dls/

6.  Within 24 hours, update FACES to reflect a new temporary location of RUN.

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  • When RUN is entered as the temporary location, there will be an additional placement detail drop down box related to the youth’s whereabouts. Choices are: Unknown, Known, or Abducted. Known is selected when the youth has been located but is living in an unapproved setting. When selecting ‘Known’, the system requires a physical address where the youth is living. (See additional information below.)
  • Due to Treatment Foster Care (TFC) placements being listed under temporary location, RUN status must be entered as a second temporary location.
  • If the youth is located before the 7th day, end the temporary location. If RUN status extends beyond the 7th day, the system will automatically update the primary placement to RUN on the 8th day.

7.  Within 3 business days, complete the Missing Youth Notification (CD-308), upload to OnBase, and email to CD.MissingYouth@dss.mo.gov.

8. Within 3 business days, and at least monthly thereafter, consult with their supervisor to: review the efforts to locate the youth thus far, ensure all statutory requirements have been met, check for documentation in electronic case record, and develop next steps to locate the youth.

9.  Within seven (7) calendar days, and monthly thereafter, contact the youth’s family members, friends, school faculty, service providers and any other person or agency involved in the youth’s case. All contacts should be documented in the electronic case record.

10.  Every seven (7) calendar days until the youth is located, contact law enforcement to inquire about their search efforts and obtain any new information they have collected. All contacts should be documented in the electronic case record.

11.  As needed, search available databases including but not limited to benefits provided through Family Support Division (SNAP, TANIF) and MO HealthNet/Show-Me Healthy Kids; search other public records and social media accounts; and request a TLO search from your circuit designee.

12.  As needed, contact the State Technical Assistance Team (STAT) for assistance in locating missing youth or for assistance with local law enforcement. Learn more about STAT at https://dss.mo.gov/stat/

13.  Quarterly, make reports to the juvenile court on the status of the youth and efforts to locate the youth.