17 Illinois Kids Reported Missing in Just One Month

It's terrifying what can happen just over the span of 30 days. In just that short amount of time, there are 17 Illinois families who have experienced the reality of not knowing where their children are. Authorities need your help in finding them and seeing them safely home.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children indicates that Illinois has had one of the largest increases in missing kids as 17 have vanished just since June 1. If you recognize any of these faces, Illinois authorities need to hear from you as soon as possible.

How many kids go missing in Illinois every year?

According to annual reports from the Illinois Missing Children Reports, there are between 10,000 and 15,000 cases every year of kids whose whereabouts are unknown. Data shows that many of these cases are repeated instances of a child running away, but even considering that fact, Illinois still estimates there are over 7,000 missing children every single year.

I am a firm believer that those who harm children will face a terrible punishment someday, but in the here and now it's vital that each of us be vigilant and do what we can do keep children from ending up in situations like this. If you know the whereabouts of any of these kids, you can contact local Illinois law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 24 hours-a-day.