Amber Alert vs. Missing Child Alert: What's the difference?

CLICK HERE to see the AMBER ALERT out of Jacksonville

When a child is missing, FDLE can issue two different types of alerts.

The Florida Missing Child Alert program was established in 2003, according to FDLE.

The agency says it allows police to quickly disseminate information when a child is missing and believed to be in life-threatening danger, but there is no indication that the child has been abducted.

A Missing Child Alert is sent out as an emergency broadcast to the media and public to engage them in the search for the missing child.

FDLE says to activate a Missing Child Alert, four criteria must be met:

• The child must be under 18 years of age.
• The law enforcement agency's preliminary investigation must conclude that the child's life is in danger.
• Descriptive information and a photograph of the child must be available.
• The agency of jurisdiction must approve the issuance of the Missing Child Alert.

A Missing Child Alert may evolve into an AMBER Alert if the law enforcement gets any indication that the child has been abducted.

FDLE says to activate an AMBER alert, five criteria must be met:

• The child must be under 18 years of age.
• There must be a clear indication of an abduction.
• The law enforcement agency's preliminary investigation must conclude that the child's life is in danger.
• There must be a detailed description of child, abductor and/or vehicle to broadcast to the public.
• The activation must be recommended by the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction.

FDLE says in these instances, the Missing Child Alert can serve as a mechanism to begin releasing information to the public while law enforcement continues to investigate the cause of the disappearance.

You can read more about FDLE's alert systems here.

Cox Media Group