HOUSTON – Rania Mankarious is the CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston, and she is also a mother of three children.
She said taking quick action in the minutes and hours after discovering a child's disappearance is key to a successful outcome.
Here are her tips:
Human trafficking
Talking to your kids about the dangers of human trafficking is another reality for today's parents.
Slideshow: Missing children from Houston
Missing Since June 22, 2020, Missing From Houston, TX, Age Now: 14
There is a hazy line between a runaway child and a child that's been trafficked.
"Children can meet somebody online or befriend a new kid at school and choose to socially meet them or go visit them or go on a trip with them," Mankarious said. "We're calling it a runaway, but it's really a kid strategically lured away by a trafficker."
Traditional kidnappings
Statistically, a traditional kidnapping happens most often when a child is going to or from school.
Mankarious talks to her own children about the situations they may encounter.
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"We talk about the fact that why would somebody do that, what strategy would they use? 'Hey, your mom needs you' or 'I’m looking for directions' or 'Do you need a ride?'" Mankarious said.
She suggests having honest and age-appropriate conversations with your children.
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How to make your own child-safety kit
Make your own child-safety kit by collecting the following information about your child on a piece of paper:
- First, middle and last name
- Nicknames
- Birth date
- Age
- Height
- Weight
- Sex
- Ethnicity
- Eye color
- Hair color
- Unique features (like glasses, birthmarks, braces, piercings, tattoos, etc.)
- Doctor contact information
- Emergency contacts
- Fingerprints
You'll need to use a black inkpad and take a fingerprint of every single one of your child's fingers.
You should also include a recent, color photo of your child and a DNA sample -- anything from a toothbrush to a used bandage.