An endangered missing alert, issued for two children last seen in Colorado Springs in late September, prompted News5 viewers to ask “why wasn’t this issued as an amber alert instead?”
We reached out to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to get that question answered.
3-year-old Grayson Perrone and 4-year-old Anneberlin Perrone could be with 21-year-old Harmonie Larrow and 21-year-old Duncan Larrow.
All four were last seen September 27th in Colorado Springs.
Jillian Ganley, who is a Criminal Intelligence Analyst with CBI, says an endangered missing alert is issued when the request doesn’t meet the criteria for any other type of alert.
There are four criteria–all of which must be met–before CBI will issue an amber alert:
1. An abducted child has to be under 18
2. An abducted child must be in immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death
3. There must be enough descriptive information available to believe that a broadcast will assist or aid in the recovery
4. The activation must be requested by a local law enforcement agency or amber disgnee from another state
In this case–Ganley says there is some sort of demonstrated danger to the children, but not an immediate threat where CBI would need to send a wireless emergency alert and emergency broadcast alert.
But Ganley says often times an endangered missing alert is very close to being classified as an amber alert, and should be treated that way.
“The amber alert, obviously, is the most serious and we don’t send out too many of those just for that reason–so that when they come out, they’re taken very seriously,” Ganley said.
“But I think it’s important to note that the missing endangered alert is still a serious alert. These kids are still missing and in some sort of danger.”
For all the latest information on the alert issued on Thursday, click here.
