SALT LAKE CITY — Tuesday marked the 30th anniversary of the Amber Alert system — the emergency notifications seen on our phones and heard on broadcasts when a child is in imminent danger. All these years later, officials said the program continues to save lives in Utah and around the country.
As recently as November, an Ogden mother made an emotional plea after her 13-year-old daughter went missing.
"I told her I loved her, I'd see her in the morning. Then when I went to go get her this morning, she wasn't home — she was gone," the mother said.
Thanks to an Amber Alert, the girl was found, and a suspect was captured.
And in March, two toddlers — ages 2 and 3 — disappeared in Riverdale. Photos were released, an alert was issued, and hours later, the children were found safe. Their father was arrested.
Since 2002, when Utah launched its Amber Alert program in the wake of Elizabeth Smart's abduction, there have been dozens of alerts involving nearly 100 children.
"We've had 77 Amber Alerts since it was created here in Utah, with 97 kids a part of those alerts," said Mandy Biesinger with Utah's Bureau of Criminal Identification.
Biesinger says the system works. "We see success after success that when an Amber Alert is issued, those kids are found, recovered and returned safely."
The national program began after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted in Texas 30 years ago. Since then, officials said Amber Alerts have helped recover nearly 1,300 children nationwide.
"They're hugely successful. We're very grateful for the public and law enforcement; the way they partner when an Amber Alert is issued," Biesinger added.
Law enforcement agencies must follow strict guidelines before issuing an alert, including confirming the child is in imminent danger.
