Reports of Missing Children in California - 1995-1999

REPORT TYPE	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Runaway - missing child that has left home without the knowledge or permission of parents or guardian.	116,811	116,276	120,180	109,443	100,998
Lost - any person who has strayed away or whose whereabouts are unknown.	544	483	601	518	505
Catastrophe - any person who is missing after a catastrophe (i.e., plane crash, boating accident, fire, flood).	23	21	12	23	18
Stranger Abduction - any person taken (witnessed) by a stranger/non-family member.	54	56	81	58	64
Parental/Family Abduction- child taken by a parent/family member	2,974	2,733	2,793	2,540	2,379
Suspicious Circumstances - missing under suspicious circumstances that may indicate a stranger abduction.	1,172	929	948	805	887
Unknown Circumstances - when circumstances surrounding MP’s disappearance are unknown.	4,941	5,153	5,990	5,391	5,471
TOTALS	126,519	125,651	130,605	118,778	110,322
Gender of Missing Children	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Male	52,414	51,593	53,526	48,195	44,151
Female	74,105	74,058	77,079	70,583	66,171