By Justine Judge Story Published: Apr 14, 2009 at 7:43 PM EDT
When a child goes missing time is of thee essence. It's why missing child advocates are teaming up to train dispatch officers what to do when they get a call about a missing child.
It's been 9 years since Molly Bish was abducted. Every since that day Molly's parents, Maggie and John have been sharing their daughters story. They hope it will prevent a tragedy like theirs from happening to anyone else. And it's why she's working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Making sure every police dispatcher is trained to handle the first call of a missing child.
Magi Bish said, "The first responder for me and Molly was a dispatcher so these people are the first ones who may get that call who may not know how to understand the parents because they may be emotionally confused or their energy levels are so beyond themselves that they will have a way, they can stop and think what did Mrs. Bish say what can we do to calm her down what can we do to give her a direction and now we have a plan."
Dispatch officers from around the state gathered in Springfield to hear Maggie share her insight into what could have saved Molly.
(Georgetown) Dispatch Officer Bonnie Silva said, "Act fast, get the state police involved and other communities and the missing children foundation, there are so many resources out there that can help."
In the past 911 operators could tell parents to call back in 24 hours. In reality, a search party needs to be sent out immediately.
NCMEC Representative Peter Bellmio said, "It was a dangerous way to do it you really have to go out and investigate each one of these to make sure that they are ok and unless proven otherwise."
Bish said, "If we care and we say that we care about our children then we have to do something and we are ultimately responsible to make sure that we do that."
Parents can help dispatchers by calling right away, remaining calm and having photos and facts about your child ready. |
