Missing Persons Day Event Helps Families Locate Loved Ones Who Mysteriously Vanished

At a previous Missing Persons Day, a candle-lighting ceremony recognized missing loved ones. (Michigan State Police photo by Ray Holt)

» Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts.

Michigan State Police hope to provide answers to families of friends of residents who have mysteriously disappeared during a Missing Persons Day event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Detroit’s Renaissance Center in GM’s Wintergarden.

A private roundtable discussion for families with a missing loved one will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. featuring Carol Ryan, coordinator of the Team HOPE task force of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Ryan’s 14-year-old child was abducted in March 2003 by a perpetrator who used seemingly innocent church activities to lure the child into danger.

Ryan’s child was eventually found days later in Reno, NV, due to Amber Alerts and the efforts of various police agencies, but Ryan has spoken since then about child exploitation, human trafficking and other child-safety issues.

» See Also: Wayne County Gets $100K to Help Clear Backlog of Rape Cases

Space for that session is limited so it’s important to RSVP to reserve a spot, but anyone with a missing child is encouraged to attend, according to the State Police. Officers will take tips on both new and cold cases, and child ID kits will be distributed.

Families of missing persons are encouraged to bring at least two biological relatives (for family reference samples) of the missing loved one and any police reports, x-rays or other identifying documents to update law enforcement digital databases.

Families and friends should feel free to wear memorial T-shirts, bring posters and any literature to display and commemorate their missing loved one, according to the website.

Missing children will be commemorated Family members should pre-register to ensure their missing child is listed among the missing by contacting Trooper Sarah Krebs at (313) 215-0675 or krebss@michigan.gov.