Since 1983, our nation has observed May 25th as National Missing Children’s Day. First proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan and observed by every administration since, May 25th is the anniversary of the day in 1979 when 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from a New York street corner on his way to school.

His story captivated the nation. His photo, taken by his father, a professional photographer, was circulated nationwide and appeared in media across the nation and around the world. Etan became the poster-child for a movement. The powerful image came to symbolize the anguish and trauma of thousands of searching families.

For nearly three decades, the search for Etan has continued. However, today, just as that day when President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Missing Children’s Day, Etan is still missing. The widespread attention brought to his case and those of others eventually led to a nationwide commitment to help locate and recover missing children.

National Missing Children’s Day honors this commitment by reminding parents, guardians, and other trusted-adult role models to make child safety a priority. This information was taken from The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s ‘Take25” website. Please visit www.take25.org to learn more about National Missing Children’s Day.

For more child safety tips, click on ‘Crime Prevention Tips’ on the Florissant Police Department web sites main page.