Richmond, VA – Virginia State Police are addressing widespread concerns sparked by viral social media videos claiming there has been a surge in child abductions across the Commonwealth. Authorities said Wednesday there is no evidence to support those claims and confirmed they are not investigating any reports of mass abductions.
According to the Virginia State Police, the agency manages the Virginia Missing Children Clearinghouse (MCC) and coordinates all cases with national alert systems, including the Child Abduction Emergency (Amber Alert) and the Critically Missing Child Alert (CODI). All missing child reports are forwarded to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, making Virginia among the most proactive states in centralizing such data.
State police reported that between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9, 88 children were reported missing to the MCC, aligning closely with the 2025 weekly average of 98. Since January, 3,274 children have been reported missing in Virginia, but as of Wednesday morning, only 141, about 4%, remain unaccounted for.
So far in 2025, Virginia State Police have issued 25 CODI alerts and two Amber Alerts, all resulting in the safe recovery of the children involved. Officials stressed that for either alert to be activated, strict criteria must be met, including verification by law enforcement, credible evidence of danger, and the availability of identifying information.
The agency also issued safety reminders for parents and guardians, such as teaching children how to call 911, avoiding rides from strangers, reporting suspicious behavior, and never leaving a child alone in a vehicle.
More information and a full list of current missing children in Virginia are available through the Virginia Missing Children Clearinghouse.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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