- State Police say there is no evidence of mass child abductions in Virginia and no such investigation is underway.
- Virginia forwards every missing-child case to NCMEC, which can make totals look higher than other states; most cases are runaways who return.
- Alert programs are working: 25 CODI and 2 AMBER alerts have been issued in 2025 so far—all subjects found.
The Big Picture
After viral social media videos stoked fears about “mass abductions,” the Virginia State Police clarified that there is no evidence of organized mass kidnappings in the Commonwealth and no such investigations are underway. The agency said it is aware of the posts and reminded the public how Virginia’s missing-child reporting and alert systems actually operate.
What’s New
Officials emphasized how Virginia’s Missing Children Clearinghouse (MCC) works in tandem with local police: nearly all cases are investigated at the local level, but agencies have two hours to notify State Police when a child (under 21) is reported missing. Virginia then forwards every case to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), centralizing information in one place. Because other states may post only selected cases on their own sites, Virginia’s approach can make statewide totals look unusually high. State Police also noted that most reports involve runaways who return shortly after being reported missing.
What They’re Saying
Context
How the clearinghouse works. State Police oversee the MCC and the Commonwealth’s alert programs, including CODI and AMBER. The MCC centralizes missing-child cases so they can be reviewed in one location. Virginia’s practice of forwarding every case to NCMEC makes the national site a comprehensive hub for Virginia’s cases. Nearly all investigations begin and remain with local departments, with State Police supporting alerts and statewide coordination.
Background on the viral claim. A widely shared social post claimed “50 missing children in Virginia” in early August 2025 and implied a sudden spike. That is not accurate. Local police said there was no such spike, and the number of reports per week was actually a little lower than average during early August 2025. One example: a TikTok video posted on Aug. 12, 2025, titled “NOW 50 MISSING CHILDREN IN VIRGINIA IN THE LAST 10 DAYS!!!!! What is happening!!!” asserted that “it has now gone up to 50 missing children in the last two weeks.” Statewide data does not support that conclusion.
Key numbers. For the week of Aug. 3–9, 2025, 88 children were reported missing to the MCC. The 2025 weekly average is 98. From January 2025 through Wednesday morning, Aug. 13, a total of 3,274 children were reported missing; 141 remained missing at that time—about 4%. So far in 2025, Virginia has issued 25 CODI Alerts and 2 AMBER Alerts; all subjects have been found. A CODI alert issued Monday morning, Aug. 11, from Manassas Park was canceled that same morning after the child was located safely.
Alert criteria at a glance.
- CODI (Critical Operation for a Disappeared Child Initiative): For a missing or endangered child (generally 17 or younger, or enrolled in secondary school) when whereabouts are unknown and circumstances are suspicious or pose a credible threat. Sufficient descriptive information—such as a vehicle—is required to help the public assist. State Police may consider other appropriate circumstances.
- AMBER Alert: Used when an abducted child (same age/enrollment threshold) is believed to be in imminent danger of serious harm or death, after an investigation verifies the abduction or eliminates alternative explanations, and there’s enough information (child/suspect/vehicle) to aid recovery. The child must be entered into VCIN and NCIC as soon as practical.
What’s Next
State Police urge families to lean on practical safety steps while avoiding misinformation. Tips include: practice 9-1-1 calls with children (on powered-off landlines or with batteries removed), teach them never to accept rides from strangers or keep “secrets” from parents, and never leave a child alone in a vehicle. Anyone with information about a missing child should call (804) 674-2000 (or (804) 674-2026 after hours) or email VAMissing@vsp.virginia.gov. For program details and current posters, visit the Missing Children Clearinghouse pages maintained by State Police and NCMEC.
The Bottom Line
There is no evidence of coordinated mass abductions in Virginia. High case counts on national sites reflect Virginia’s decision to forward every missing-child report for centralized visibility—an approach designed to help find kids faster, not to alarm the public. Stay vigilant, verify information through official channels, and use the alert criteria to understand when CODI or AMBER will be activated.
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