The case of a teenage murder victim in Cache County raises serious questions about runaways and missing teens.
Trisha Autry was initially treated as a runaway. Eight months later she was listed as a missing person.
News Specialist Jed Boal has the story.
Right now, there are nearly 26,000 missing persons in the United States--kids who have run away, adults who have disappeared, people who may have been kidnapped or murdered.
But there is good news. There are more resources than ever before to help locate those people.
Take a look at the faces. They are among the many missing children in Utah.
Children whose families still wrestle with their loss.
There are 283 Utah children currently listed as runaways.
More than 60 others have been missing more than 30 days, and may be in some type of danger.
Another 19 are suspected victims of kidnapping or worse.
Three years ago Utah was one of only two states without a clearinghouse for missing children.
Now that clearinghouse helps solve cases.
Nannette Rolfe/Bureau Director-B.C.I: WE CAN PUT OUT FLIERS, WE CAN GET LAW ENFORCEMENT INVOLVED A LITTLE MORE. WE'RE THE LIASON BETWEEN FAMILIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.
In the past 18 months, the clearinghouse has helped return six Utah runaways to their homes, and assisted in 16 cases from other states.
Two months ago, the Utah Missing Persons Clearinghouse received a grant to connect with a national network of 1,000 computers that quickly spreads the word when a child disappears.
Police and state agencies can relay information to school districts, the media, anyone who can help, all within minutes.
Nannette Rolfe/Bureau Director-B.C.I.: IT'S DONE THROUGH A FAX MACHINE AND E-MAIL COMPUTER TO COMPUTER. SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS OUT THERE THAT THREE YEARS AGO UTAH DID NOT HAVE.
Since Autry's remains were discovered a week ago, calls to the clearinghouse have surged.
They typically receive three runaway calls a week.
This week they've had five calls a day.
Nannette Rolfe/Bureau Director-B.C.I.: IT STRIKES HOME A LITTLE CLOSER WHEN THEY HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEIR CHILD, AND NOW THEY WANT TO TAKE A LITTLE MORE ACTION THAN WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE. SO THEY WILL CONTACT US.
Many runaways return home in the first month. Some kids even make contact because they're tired of seeing their pictures.
