Missing Person

At risk - Includes persons who (ORC § 2901.41; ORC § 5502.522):

1. Are 13 years of age or younger.

2. Are 65 years of age or older.

3. Are 17 years of age or younger who have run away from or are otherwise missing from the care, custody, and control of the juvenile's parent, guardian, or other person having responsibility for the care of the minor (ORC § 2901.30).

4. Regardless of age, are believed or determined to be experiencing one or more of the following circumstances:

   1. Out of the zone of safety for the person's chronological age and developmental stage.

   2. Physically or mentally disabled, including autism spectrum disorder or another developmental disability.

   3. Behaviorally disabled.

   4. Drug dependent, including prescribed medication and/or illegal substances, and the dependency is potentially life-threatening.

   5. Absent from home for more than 24 hours before being reported to law enforcement as missing.

   6. In a life-threatening situation.

   7. In the company of others who could endanger the person's welfare.

   8. Absent in a way that is inconsistent with established patterns of behavior and cannot be readily explained. Most children have an established and reasonably predictable routine.

   9. Involved in a situation that would cause a reasonable person to conclude the person should be considered at risk.

   10. Missing and there is evidence of foul play including but not limited to evidence that the person's home or car is in disarray, evidence of a struggle between the person and another, or any other evidence that the Department determines is foul play (ORC § 2901.42).

315.5  INITIAL INVESTIGATION

Officers or other members conducting the initial investigation of a missing person should take the following investigative actions, as applicable:

1. Respond to a dispatched call as soon as practicable.

2. Interview the reporting party and any witnesses to determine whether the person qualifies as a missing person and, if so, whether the person may be at risk.

3. Notify a supervisor immediately if there is evidence that a missing person is either at risk or may qualify for a public alert, or both (see the Public Alerts Policy).

4. Broadcast a “Be on the Look-Out” (BOLO) bulletin if the person is under 17 or there is evidence that the missing person is at risk. The BOLO should be broadcast as soon as practicable but in no event more than one hour after determining the missing person is under 17 years of age or may be at risk.

5. Ensure that entries are made into the appropriate missing person networks:

   1. Immediately, when the missing person is at risk or there is evidence of foul play and the person is at least 18 but under the age of 21 (ORC § 2901.30(C); ORC § 2901.42(A)).

   2. In all other cases, as soon as practicable, but not later than two hours from the time of the initial report.

6. Complete the appropriate report forms accurately and completely and initiate a search as applicable under the facts.

7. Collect and/or review:

   1. A photograph and fingerprint card of the missing person, if available.

   2. A voluntarily provided biological sample of the missing person, if available (e.g., toothbrush, hairbrush).

   3. Any documents that may assist in the investigation, such as court orders regarding custody.

   4. Any other evidence that may assist in the investigation, including personal electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, computers).

8. When circumstances permit and if appropriate, attempt to determine the missing person's location through his/her telecommunications carrier.

9. Contact the appropriate agency if the report relates to a missing person report previously made to another agency and that agency is actively investigating the report. When this is not practicable, the information should be documented in an appropriate report for transmission to the appropriate agency. If the information relates to an at-risk missing person, the member should notify a supervisor and proceed with reasonable steps to locate the missing person.