An 8-month-old girl named Amelia Martinez was kidnapped from Davie, Florida, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. An Amber Alert was issued on Wednesday morning to ask the public for help in finding her. The child may be with Arys Martinez, a 34-year-old woman who is a suspect in the abduction. The authorities have not disclosed the relationship between the two. They may be traveling in an unknown vehicle. Anyone who has information about their whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.
What is an Amber Alert?
An Amber Alert is an emergency message that is broadcast through various media platforms when a child is abducted and is in imminent danger. The alert provides descriptive information about the child, the suspect, and the vehicle, if available, to help the public identify and locate them. The goal of an Amber Alert is to quickly mobilize the community and law enforcement to assist in the search and safe recovery of the missing child.
The Amber Alert system was created in 1996 in memory of Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in Texas. Since then, the system has expanded to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 33 other countries. According to the Department of Justice, as of November 24, 2021, 1,085 children have been rescued through the Amber Alert system.
How it works in Florida
In Florida, the Amber Alert system is coordinated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), in partnership with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida Lottery, and other agencies. The FDLE’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse is responsible for receiving and verifying reports of child abductions from local law enforcement agencies and issuing Amber Alerts when the criteria are met.
The criteria for issuing an Amber Alert in Florida are:
- The child is under 18 years old.
- The law enforcement agency believes the child has been abducted.
- The law enforcement agency believes the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.
- There is enough descriptive information about the child and the abduction to assist in the recovery.
- The child’s information has been entered into the National Crime Information Center database.
When an Amber Alert is activated, the information is disseminated to the public through radio, television, highway signs, lottery machines, text messages, email, social media, and other platforms. The alert also triggers the Wireless Emergency Alerts system, which sends geographically targeted messages to mobile devices in the area of the abduction.
How to receive alerts
Anyone who wants to receive Amber Alerts in Florida can sign up for free at www.missingchildrenalert.com. The website allows users to choose how they want to receive the alerts, such as email, text message, or phone call. Users can also select the regions or counties they want to receive alerts for.
Alternatively, users can follow the FDLE’s social media accounts, such as Facebook and Twitter, to get updates on Amber Alerts and other missing persons cases. Users can also download the FDLE Mobile App, which provides access to Amber Alerts, Missing Child Alerts, Silver Alerts, and other public safety information.
The latest Amber Alert in Broward County
The latest Amber Alert in Florida was issued on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, for Amelia Martinez, an 8-month-old girl who was kidnapped from Davie, Broward County, on Tuesday. According to the FDLE, Amelia is a white child with brown hair and brown eyes. She weighs 35 pounds and was last seen wearing a pink onesie with hearts.
The suspect in the abduction is Arys Martinez, a 34-year-old woman with brown hair and brown eyes. She is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds. She was last seen wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans. The FDLE did not provide any information on the relationship between the suspect and the child or the motive for the kidnapping.
The FDLE also did not specify the vehicle that the suspect and the child may be traveling in. However, some news reports suggested that they may be in a white 2017 Nissan Rogue with Florida license plate number HZTB75. The FDLE has not confirmed this information.
The FDLE is asking the public to be on the lookout for the child, the suspect, or the vehicle and to report any sightings or tips to 911 or the Davie Police Department at 954-693-8200.
Importance of public help
The public’s help is crucial in solving Amber Alert cases and finding missing children. The FDLE says that the Amber Alert system relies on the “eyes and ears” of the public to assist law enforcement in the search. The FDLE also says that the public’s involvement has led to the recovery of many children who were featured in Amber Alerts.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which assists in the coordination of Amber Alerts nationwide, 12% of the children recovered through the system were found as a direct result of the alert, while 34% were found as a result of the public’s tips. The center also says that 95% of the children recovered through the system were found within 72 hours of the alert activation.
What to do if you see a missing child from an alert
If you see a child, an adult, or a vehicle that matches the description of an Amber Alert, you should take the following steps:
- Do not approach or confront the suspect, as they may be armed or dangerous.
- Call 911 immediately and provide as much information as possible, such as the location, the direction of travel, the physical appearance of the child and the suspect, the license plate number and the make and model of the vehicle, and any other details that may be relevant.
- Do not hang up until the operator tells you to do so, as they may need to ask you more questions or give you instructions.
- Do not follow the suspect or the vehicle, as this may put you or the child in danger or interfere with the law enforcement’s response.
- Stay alert and vigilant until the alert is canceled or the child is found.
Importance of remaining vigilant
Remaining vigilant and aware of your surroundings is important for the safety of yourself and others, especially when an Amber Alert is issued. By paying attention to the details of the alert and reporting any sightings or tips, you can make a difference in the life of a missing child and their family. You can also help law enforcement solve the case and bring the suspect to justice.
Conclusion
An Amber Alert is a powerful tool that can help find and rescue abducted children. However, it cannot work without the cooperation and participation of the public. By signing up for alerts, following the updates, and reporting any information, you can be part of the solution and help save a child’s life. The latest Amber Alert in Florida is for Amelia Martinez, an 8-month-old girl who was kidnapped from Davie, Broward County, on Tuesday. If you have any information about her whereabouts or the suspect, Arys Martinez, please call 911 or the Davie Police Department at 954-693-8200. Your help is greatly appreciated.
