THE police are asserting that the downward trend in the number of children reported missing over the past few years is not the result of a drop in reporting, but rather the efforts of stakeholders across the board.

I think that in the past few months, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions on movement and gatherings, the closing of schools and other entertainment and recreational facilities, as well [this would have contributed to more children remaining at home].

“We have had cases where a child was staying at another person's home and when the child was seen by the police in the downtown area they were with an adult and the adult is saying 'I didn't know this child was missing [as] she came home with my daughter who attends the same school and she gave some story and I thought it was in her best interest to provide some support',” Garrick said.

“Most of the time when you see [parental abductions], it's a breakdown in communication, because once you intervene and you get both sides of the story, oftentimes through mediation, you find that it's just because the parents are not talking, and that creates gaps, so persons feel there is no other action but to forcibly remove a child without the consent of the other,” Garrick said.

For example, a child might leave the primary caregiver's home to sometimes go to stay with other family members, so contact is made with the primary caregiver to say 'this person is here'; however, the police are not updated.