NEW CATEGORIES OF MISSING CHILDREN - INJURED, LOST, DELINQUENT, AND VICTIMS OF CAREGIVER MIX-UPS

A national survey of 10,367 households uncovered cases of missing chil dren that did not fall into one of the four federally defined categori es of missing children. Qualitative and quantitative procedures disclo sed the existence of four additional categories: children missing due to injury in an accident, delinquent and rebellious behavior, getting lost, and miscommunication among adult caregivers. Two of these catego ries, injured and lost children, should particularly be included in mi ssing children's typologies because of their potential seriousness. Vu lnerability to all four kinds of episodes was associated with certain family characteristics, suggesting that they were not simply accidenta l occurrences. In addition to help in locating their children, these f amilies may need other forms of assistance.