A surge in the number of missing children in one Midwest state is sparking panic among parents.
A total of 21 juveniles disappeared in August alone, data from local police and the state’s missing persons register showed.
By midway through the month, a staggering 11 children had vanished in North Dakota.
A further nine children aged between 13 and 16-years-old were reported missing as of August 27, Newsweek and The Forum reported.
On Saturday, 12-year-old Olivia Johnson from Fargo became the 21st missing child. Police issued an alert urging the public to look out for her.
She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black shorts and was wearing a cream colored backpack.
So far ten children have been located, but fears remain over those still unaccounted for.
North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Chief Agent Steven Harstad said his agency is encouraging parents to treat children who run away as missing and not ignore it.
On Saturday, 12-year-old Olivia Johnson from Fargo became the 21st missing child. Police issued an alert urging the public to look out for her
Kartor Stewart, 16, was last seen on August 24. His case is being investigated by the Grand Forks Police Department
Angel Peltier, 15, was last seen on August 10. His case is being investigated by the Minot Police Department
‘There’s no such thing as a runaway, especially when it comes to kids; because of that, we’re seeing more missing persons reports, including those youngsters,’ he said.
The North Dakota Office of the Attorney General currently has nine missing children listed, five of whom vanished in August.
Brayden Desjarlais, 16, was last seen on August 21. His case is being investigated by the Minot Police Department.
Grand Forks Police Department confirmed it is still hunting for Kartor Stewart, 16, who was last seen on August 24.
The missing person database also lists Elaxander Greywater, 16. He was last seen on August 25 according to the Bismarck Police Department.
Two children who went missing earlier this month, nine-year-old Naara Juarez Perez and 15-year-old Angel Peltier, still have not been found
Gabriel Tapia and Jaxton Counts, 13 and 14 years old respectively, have been taken off the missing person’s database, but their whereabouts are still unknown.
Others who were delisted from the database include 14-year-old Dystiny Rivers, 16-year-old Courtney Garcia-Rollness and 16-year-old Alexa Taylor.
North Dakota authorities have found 10 missing juveniles who ran away this month (Pictured: North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Chief Agent Steven Harstad)
Elijah Whitelightning, a 15-year-old American Indian boy, still hasn’t been found after being declared missing on November 21, 2024
Others who were delisted from the database include 14-year-old Dystiny Rivers, 16-year-old Courtney Garcia-Rollness and 16-year-old Alexa Taylor.
Daily Mail approached the attorney general’s office for comment on the status of these five children..
And Elijah Whitelightning, a 15-year-old American Indian boy, still hasn’t been found after being declared missing on November 21, 2024.
About half of the children who have been deemed missing this month are Indigenous.
‘I don’t know if it’s a problem we ever fix, because the reasons are so wide-stretched — substance abuse, mental illness, family issues,’ Harstad said.
‘But the information is getting out there, and the more people that see it is a good thing, because it raises the awareness of the number of kids who are in a bad situation or trying to get out of those situations, or putting themselves in bad situations by leaving.’
Anyone who has information about a child reported missing in the state can contact the agency investigating the disappearance.