Legal Definitions - Amber Alert

An Amber Alert is a system used by the police to quickly inform the public about a missing or endangered child through radio and television announcements. The alert is named after Amber Hagerman, a nine-year-old girl from Texas who was kidnapped and murdered in 1996. The system has been adopted by many communities in the United States and Canada, with some local variations.

For example, in Arkansas, the system is called the Morgan Nick Alert, named after a child who was abducted by a stranger in 1995. The purpose of the Amber Alert is to mobilize the public to help find the missing child as quickly as possible.

When an Amber Alert is issued, it includes information about the child, such as their name, age, and physical description, as well as any information about the abductor or the vehicle they may be driving. The alert is broadcasted on various media platforms, including radio, television, and social media, to reach as many people as possible.

The Amber Alert system has been successful in helping to locate missing children and bring them home safely. It is an important tool in the fight against child abduction and exploitation.