The story came across the wires, indicating that the U.S. Marshals have recovered 101 missing children in Memphis over the past 40 days. Memphis isn’t a big city like New York or Los Angeles, and it begs the question of how many children are missing in those places. Last year, about this time, the U.S. government admitted there were 300,000 missing children from illegal border crossings.
The International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children studied the problem in free countries worldwide and determined that the United States has far more missing children than other countries. They estimate 460,000 children are reported missing every year, according to FBI statistics.
Close to half a million missing children should be considered a significant problem in American society. Still, the subject is rarely mentioned, and even rarer are any steps to slow it down or stop it. There are many reasons for missing children, some of which involve the child’s initiative or other issues, while others have to do with sex trafficking.
The Jeffrey Epstein crimes are the tip of the iceberg about how much sex trafficking of minors is occurring. In the United States, over 51% of trafficking cases were sex trafficking involving children. Investigators contend there are four primary reasons for this unacceptable rise in crimes against children. They are: The increase in the number of illegals coming over the border during the Biden Administration. The opportunity for predators to groom children via social media. The rise and consumption of pornography and broken families.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children further adds to our understanding. They claim there are four types of situations that exacerbate the trafficking of children. Regrettably, families and extended families are guilty of sending their blood relatives into a life of slavery. The second group is the nonfamilial individuals, like the many teachers who are abusing their students.
On the seedier side of trafficking are those who abuse children in what is known as buyer-perpetrated trafficking. It includes grooming and supporting runaways for control over these children, or through websites offering these children for sex. Gang-controlled trafficking is a unique and evil manifestation. The gangs get control of these children and use them to increase their ranks, but most often are forced into prostitution. The missing non-documented children owe the gangs a debt, and it is usually paid off by these children working in their drug and prostitution businesses.
The missing children problem is out of control in the United States, and little is done about protecting these vulnerable children. It also shows the country’s moral level, and given the high metrics, it is despicable.
Children should not be missing, and although it is impossible to save them all, society must do more. The problem should be brought to light. A free country like ours should conclude that close to half a million missing children is unacceptable.
We must demand that our representatives address this issue with new legislation and community awareness. The society must shun families who exploit their own, shut down ways on social media for predators to hunt for victims, and enact laws with severe penalties for those who abuse and exploit children. This checklist should be on top of any MAGA priority list.
The moral level of any society is how well it defends the vulnerable. From abortion to abuse, too many children seem to be falling through the cracks.