Law enforcement officers are invited to attend an eight hour training program called Protecting Our Children.
The course, designed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children dives into the dynamics of crimes committed against children to include sex trafficking, abduction and sexual abuse. The program launched in 2007 and since then, it has been presented to more than 10,000 attendees in 42 different states.
According to NCMEC’s website:
Program Outline
History of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
Overview of Crimes Committed Against Children
Sexual Abuse / Sexual Exploitation/ Child Sex Tourism / Child Prostitution-Sexual Trafficking
The Victims (Vulnerability / Disclosure)
The Offenders Profiles (Male / Female / Juvenile)
Non-Family, Family, Infant and Attempted Abductions
Policy / Procedures for Missing & Abduction Cases
Prevention Strategies
Protecting Children Online (The Danger and Predator’s Tactics)
Online Prevention Strategies (NetSmartz)
Resources for Law Enforcement, Parents, and Guardians
For more information about the host requirements, contact Craig Hill at 913-927-0109 orchill@ncmec.org
1 in 7 kids are solicited for sex online. This alarming statistic was recently released from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The survey says 1 in 33 kids receive aggressive online solicitations to meet in person and 34% of kids say they’ve had communication with people they don’t know. NCMEC maintains a proactive approach to protect children and teens and now they have two brand new items for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The NSTeen sitenow has animated video and educational games for children in this age range. “Cyberbully Zombies Attack” and “Mike-tosis” both targetinformation about technology, safety and cyber bullying prevention. Although these sites are for “tweens,” parents and teachers are encouraged to log on and educate themselves on the dangers lurking online for kids. The content is available in English and in Spanish. NSTeen is an entity of the main hub of NetSmartz.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says itsCyberTipline has handled more than 903,240 calls of child sexual exploitation. According to a press release on their site, the Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed more than 34 million pornographic images.
The FBI’s Innocence Lost Initiative and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children had a busy weekend rescuing children and taking down predators who were pimping kids out for money. Operation Cross Country V was a successful three day sweep saving 69 children who were victims and arresting 99 alleged predator pimps. According to a press release by the FBI, 885 others were arrested on state and local charges as well. In this sting the youngest child rescued was 12 and the oldest 17. I had the opportunity to meet with members of this specific team and the work they do for the children is stellar. The agents hearts and souls are in it for serving justice.
1 in 7 kids are solicited for sex online. This alarming statistic was recently released from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The survey says 1 in 33 kids receive aggressive online solicitations to meet in person and 34% of kids say they’ve had communication with people they don’t know. NCMEC maintains a proactive approach to protect children and teens and now they have two brand new items for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The NSTeen sitenow has animated video and educational games for children in this age range. “Cyberbully Zombies Attack” and “Mike-tosis” both targetinformation about technology, safety and cyber bullying prevention. Although these sites are for “tweens,” parents and teachers are encouraged to log on and educate themselves on the dangers lurking online for kids. The content is available in English and in Spanish. NSTeen is an entity of the main hub of NetSmartz.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children says itsCyberTipline has handled more than 903,240 calls of child sexual exploitation. According to a press release on their site, the Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed more than 34 million pornographic images.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is looking to find Ethan Ellis. They say he was allegedly abducted by his birth mother, Carla Velasco, and could be in Bolivia. Carla is 37-years-old and has a scar on her forehead. Ethan is only 3, and his front tooth is chipped. This mother and son was last seen in Spring, Texas. On October 30,2 009, investigators issued a felony warrant for Velasco’s arrest.
RACE: Biracial (white/hispanic)
HEIGHT: 3′2″
WEIGHT: 35 pounds
HAIR & EYES: Brown
If you have any information, please contact: 1-800-THE-LOST
Investigators continue to search the Hudson River and surrounding areas for 4-year-old Marc Bookal. Every single night since the toddler went missing, temperatures have dipped below freezing. Fliers are posted throughout the community, and all police resources are maxed out. I spoke with Sgt. Toomey with the Newburgh Police in New York. He says Marc was reported missing by his mother’s boyfriend, Cory Byrd on December 14, 2009 around 1:10 p.m. Byrd told police he went downstairs, the door was open, and Marc was gone. Sgt. Toomy says Byrd told them he thought the child went a few steps away in an adjacent building to visit his aunt, something he did frequently. The toddler has discoloration on the back of his hands from a recent burn injury, and he was last seen wearing a red long sleeved shirt, gray sweatpants, and Nike shoes.
It’s been three freezing nights since Marc Bookal went missing. Investigators are still maxing out resources searching for this toddler, and the community is posting fliers throughout. Yesterday afternoon, I spoke with Sgt. Toomey with the Newburgh Police in New York. He says Marc was reported missing by his mother’s boyfriend, Cory Byrd on December 14, 2009 around 1:10 p.m. Byrd told police he went downstairs, the door was open, and Marc was gone. Sgt. Toomy says Byrd told them he thought the child went a few steps away in an adjacent building to visit his aunt, something he did frequently. The toddler has discoloration on the back of his hands from a recent burn injury, and he was last seen wearing a red long sleeved shirt, gray sweatpants, and Nike shoes.
Cory Byrd, Marc’s mother’s 30-year-old boyfriend was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and is currently being held in the Orange County Jail. There’s a $2,500 bond available to release him, but even if the money is paid, Byrd still faces a parole violation. He is scheduled to appear in court in January 2010 on this case. If you have any information, please call the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services: 1-800-FIND-KID
Michelle Sigona is a crime fighting, victims advocate extraordinaire, but for Michelle -- the good fight doesn't stop there. In her spare time, she is a volunteer firefighter -- and now, she is tackling the issues and cases that mean the most to her....
Law enforcement officers are invited to attend an eight hour training program called Protecting Our Children. 
1 in 7 kids are solicited for sex online. This alarming statistic was recently released from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The survey says 1 in 33 kids receive aggressive online solicitations to meet in person and 34% of kids say they’ve had communication with people they don’t know. NCMEC maintains a proactive approach to protect children and teens and now they have two brand new items for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The 
