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What is the criteria to push out an Amber Alert?

After an Amber Alert was issued in the state of Louisiana, some have been wondering what it takes to send one out.

NEW ORLEANS — The Amber Alert system contains clearly defined activation criteria.

Law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted.

Police believe the circumstances surrounding the abduction indicate that the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.

There must be enough descriptive information about the child – abductor -- and/or suspect's vehicle -- to believe an immediate broadcast alert will assist in the recovery of the child.

The abduction is of a child under the age of 18.

The AMBER Alert System began in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local police to develop an early warning system to help find abducted children, according to the  United States Government Department of Justice.

AMBER stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response and was created as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped and murdered in Arlington, Texas.

Guidelines and Criteria of the Louisiana Amber Alert Plan

  • Law enforcement confirms a child, aged 17 or under, has been abducted.
  • Law enforcement believes the circumstances surrounding the abduction indicate that the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
  • There must be enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect's vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will assist in the recovery of the child.

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