Code Adam

Back in my college days I worked at a local retail store. We were trained to search for a missing child matching the description when,"Code Adam" was paged over the intercom.

The announcement over the intercom always sent my heart racing, and I immediately stopped what I was doing to search for the missing child.

My heart raced more rapidly then in previous years this past weekend as a quick run into a store with my 3 year old turned into a search and rescue. The run into the store was supposed to be quick. Because of this I decided for one of the first times, NOT to place my son in a shopping cart. Mistake #1 for me. I had the little wanderer with me as I approached the checkstand. Another sales clerk flagged me over to their register so that I would not have to stand in line and poof...the tiny toddler was gone.

I called for him and looked in the surrounding area, but nada! So of course I panic..it literally was seconds. I run outside to see if I can see anyone in the parking lot with my child...nothing. So the associate calls for a "Code Adam".

Code Adam is actually an internationally-recognized missing child program. Started by the store I worked for in college . Its named after John Walsh's (Americas Most Wanted) late son.

Companies that do implement the program generally place a Code Adam decal at the front of the business. Employees at these businesses are trained to do the following six steps according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children:

1. If a visitor reports a child is missing, a detailed description of the child and what he or she is wearing is obtained. Additionally, all exterior access to the building is locked and monitored; anyone approaching a door is turned away.
2. The employee goes to the nearest in-house telephone and pages Code Adam, describing the child’s physical features and clothing. As designated employees monitor front entrances, other employees begin looking for the child.
3. If the child is not found within 10 minutes, law enforcement is called.
4. If the child is found and appears to have been lost and unharmed, the child is reunited with the searching family member.
5. If the child is found accompanied by someone other than a parent or legal guardian, reasonable efforts to delay their departure will be used without putting the child, staff, or visitors at risk. Law enforcement will be notified and given details about the person accompanying the child.
6. The Code Adam page will be canceled after the child is found or law enforcement arrives.

I was asked by the sales associate to describe what my son looked like. DUH! I was NOT prepared for this question as my mind was in a state of shock. I listed off his clothes and the color of his skin. The associate asked me to wait by the front door. Which makes sense, but didn't make me feel as though I was doing all that I could to find my baby!

I was lucky...the little turd headed back to the toy area and was found by one of the associates who gathered together to find him.

I tried not to scare him once we finished our business and left, but explained as best I could (without bursting into tears) how sad I get when I don't know where he is etc. etc.

I learned a ton from this experience:

a. my children will remain in shopping carts until their 30 yrs. old
b. I will do better at discussing the responsibility that comes with the freedom of walking and not sitting in a cart (age 31+)
c. I failed to mention how old my child was. or the fact that he had a painted bunny face on. I didn't mention eye color, his name, or any permanent information about him that a perpetrator could not disguise quickly.

I have a Child ID Card for each member of my family, but it is not enough. I am going to write down a list of identifying questions that I can answer information about and keep a wallet-sized version with me. I was lucky this time, but will take measures to prepare myself even more.