Justice Department Honors Individuals on National Missing Children's Day

On the occasion of the 40th annual National Missing Children's Day, the Justice Department recognized nine individuals in Washington, D.C. for their outstanding contributions in recovering missing children and holding perpetrators of child sexual abuse accountable. The event paid tribute to the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to protect children and support families in distress. National Missing Children's Day, proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, commemorates the memory of Etan Patz, a six-year-old boy abducted in 1979. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention leads the nation in observing this day, emphasizing the importance of finding and rescuing missing and exploited children. The honorees received awards such as the Attorney General's Special Commendation, the Missing Children's Law Enforcement Award, and the Missing Children's Child Protection Award. Additionally, Ayoub Alsaidi, a 5th grader from Brooklyn, New York, won the 2023 National Missing Children's Day poster contest, promoting child safety awareness among youth and parents. The Justice Department's recognition underscored the collective commitment to safeguarding the well-being of America's youth and commended the remarkable efforts of the awardees in protecting and rescuing children from harm.