DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said today that missing juvenile numbers in the state remain steady, despite a social media frenzy that claimed a spike.
According to the DCI, “In light of the missing person investigation of Mollie Tibbetts, concerns have come to light about the number of juveniles reported missing in Iowa in recent weeks. In FY 2017 4,311 juveniles were reported missing to The Missing Person Information Clearinghouse. This is an average of approximately 12 juveniles a day. The vast majority of which are found or returned home within 24 hours. Typically these cases are runaway situations. The number of missing juveniles reported in recent weeks is in line with historical numbers.”
The DCI said that to gain additional information on missing persons in Iowa, the Department of Public Safety’s website has more information.
Prior to the release of this statement, there were persons posting on social media that there were many juveniles going missing in recent weeks and that people should be more concerned than usual due to this alleged activity, which the DCI apparently is disputing.