HOUSTON – The number of missing cases is overwhelming and it continues to increase, but in each one, there is a friend, family member, or neighbor holding out hope for an answer or where they are and what happened.
This Saturday will be Missing in Southeast Texas Day (MISETXD), formerly known as Missing in Harris County Day. However, on Thursday, Houston-area law enforcement agencies will be joining together to share information leading up to this Saturday and what residents can do to help find answers to these missing cases.
Among the agencies include officers from the Houston Police Department, Pasadena Police Department, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, who will be on hand to educate the community on their efforts and give insight into how missing cases are handled. For example, the Texas Center for the Missing says “There is not a 24-hour waiting period to report someone missing - this includes all ages and endangered adults battling dementia.” Cheek swabs for DNA demonstrations will also be held to help deflect any concerns about blood draws.
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Thursday’s meeting will take place at Harris County Cemetary in Crosby. The Texas Center for the Missing says “As of April 15, 2024, there are about 478 unidentified individuals buried in two indigent cemeteries serving Harris County, including the Crosby Cemetary.”
Law enforcement officials say events like these are a perfect demonstration of how committed officers are to finding answers to the lingering questions loved ones have.
“I really feel that events like Missing in Southeast Texas Day are very important as an opportunity to intentionally remember the missing and the work that needs to be done to bring them home,” Chuck Fleeger, Executive Director of Amber Alert Network Brazos Valley said in a press statement. “Every day there are families who go to sleep not knowing where the loved one is and it is incumbent on us to remain dedicated to doing everything we can to help find them. While at MISETXD it was great to have a chance to network with others who have this same focus and provides an opportunity to continue to learn and improve our response efforts.”
Missing in Southeast Texas Day will take place Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Children’s Assessment Center on Bolsover St. See the flyer below for more details.