Estimates the incidence of 5 categories of children, those who were: abducted by family members; abducted by non-family members; runaways; thrownaways; and missing because they had gotten lost or injured, or for some other reason. Data was collected from 6 separate sources: household survey; juvenile facilities survey; returned runaway study; police records study; FBI data reanalysis; and community professionals study. Charts, tables and graphs.

Concern about missing and exploited children gained national prominence in 1981 when Adam Walsh, the 6-year-old son of John and Reve Walsh was abducted and subsequently found murdered. A year later, with the help of other parents of abducted children, the Walshes worked for the passage of the Missing Children's Act of 1982 and later for the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984, to assist in recovering such children and bringing perpetrators to justice. The Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children Protection Act that was instituted in 1999 reauthorised and amended the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984. This book presents an overview of the issues that face the legislation pertaining to missing and exploited children. In addition, the book discusses the various efforts that are being taken to enhance the ability to locate the missing children. Contents: Preface; Missing and Exploited Children: Overview and Policy Concerns; The Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children Protection Act (MERCPA): Appropriations and Reauthorisation; Bibliography; Index.