Wisconsin DOJ Launches Missing Child Alert
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced the new Missing Child Alert today, expanding options for alerting the public to missing children. The 2023 Wisconsin Act 272, authored by state Senator LaTonya Johnson, state Senator Jessie James, Assemblywoman Sheila Stubbs, and Assemblyman John Spiros, introduces this new alert system.
“The Missing Child Alert will provide an additional way to help locate missing children and get them home safely,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you to everyone who worked to launch this new alert.”
Senator LaTonya Johnson expressed her support: "I am proud of the implementation of the new Missing Child Alert system, which will help ensure all children are brought home safely. No family should have to endure the uncertainty and fear that Prince McCree’s or Lily Peters’ families faced, wondering if every available resource is being used to find their child. I am grateful to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for making this new system a reality and for their commitment to protecting our most vulnerable."
The Missing Child Alert was established when Governor Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 272 on April 10, 2024. Known as the Prince Act, it is named after 5-year-old Prince McCree from Milwaukee and 10-year-old Lily Peters from Chippewa Falls. The legislation revised §175.51 and expanded the definition of a “person at risk” to include children.
The alerts will be disseminated through the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network and via Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) sent to mobile devices within a five-mile radius from the last known location between 8 AM and 9 PM. Additionally, alerts will appear on Wisconsin Lottery terminals statewide and on Department of Transportation’s Dynamic Messaging Boards.
Missing Child Alert Criteria:
- The person at risk has not attained the age of 18 years AND,
- The person is believed incapable of returning home without assistance due to a physical or mental condition or disability OR,
- The person has not attained the age of 10 years AND,
- The individual’s location is unknown AND,
- It is within 72 hours of their disappearance AND,
- Their situation does not qualify for another alert (e.g., Amber Alert).
- The individual has been entered as missing into National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
- There is sufficient information available that could assist in locating them.
If a child goes missing:
1. Contact local law enforcement.
2. Law enforcement will collaborate with Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and other partners.
3. DCI is solely authorized to issue a Missing Child Alert.
To receive alerts:
Sign up for the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network at https://wisconsincrimealert.widoj.gov/ for free notifications including Missing Child Alerts, AMBER Alerts, Silver Alerts, Green Alerts, and Missing Endangered Person Alerts.