Legal Definitions - missing person

A missing person is someone whose location is unknown and cannot be determined after a reasonable amount of time. This can also refer to someone who has been absent for an extended period without explanation, which may allow their heirs to petition a court to declare them legally dead and divide their property.

• A child who has not returned home from school and cannot be located by their parents or authorities.
• An adult who has not been seen or heard from in weeks or months, and their friends and family are unable to contact them.

These examples illustrate the definition of a missing person as someone whose whereabouts are unknown and cannot be determined, causing concern for their safety and well-being.