FBI Launches Android App To Assist Authorities In Finding Missing Children

On the occasion of National Missing Children’s Day, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has released a new version of the Child ID app, designed for Android smartphones.

The Child ID app had first been launched in August last year for iPhones, allowing parents to store information about their kids electronically, like height, weight and pictures. This information can be used by authorities when needed. The iPhone app has already seen over 121,000 downloads.

The app also offers various tips to parents on ensuring the safety of their children and provides instructions on what to do during the first few hours when a child goes missing.

Ronald Reagan had designated May 25 as the National Missing Children’s Day, in memory of Etan Patz, a 6 year old boy in New York City who went missing on May 25, 1979, while walking to the school bus stop. In fact, Etan was one of the very first missing children to appear on milk cartons.

NYPD officials said on Thursday that they have made their first arrest in the 33-year-old case.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly announced that one Pedro Hernandez, 51, had confessed to choking the boy and dumping the body in the trash.