> In theory, they are to help find a child that has already been abducted and they think is in immediate danger. Being abducted, by itself, isn't enough to get

> In theory, they are to help find a child that has already been abducted and they think is in immediate danger. Being abducted, by itself, isn't enough to get an alert. The bar for Amber Alerts has been pretty low since its inception. I stopped paying attention myself once it became apparent they were being used to deputize the public as repo men for custodial abductions. Parents who murder their children usually don't kidnap them first-- unless the responders force escalation and standoff (see also: the police-chase debate). Settle that shit in court and stop being dramatic. It's only as of earlier this year that [in California at least] the criteria are being revisited to eliminate custody disputes as a qualifier. Though CA/AZ/NM/TX have added risk of such abductions becoming international affairs, which is the only concession I'd make for such histrionics. The system does work though, as does the FBI most-wanted list.