How Private Investigators Help Locate Runaway and Missing Children

For a parent, there are few experiences more harrowing than wondering if your child has run away or been run away. Reaching out to law enforcement is the best, but the reality is that there are not enough resources and too many other priorities for many cases of runaway and missing children.

Private investigators (or PIs, as they're known by most) are lifelines for families who cannot imagine the unthinkable.
Missing children are located by skilled, advanced tools and laser-focused private investigators. PIs, so far, remain a big help,  whether it's a teenager rebelling against family rules or a child who's been persuaded to leave under less-than-ideal circumstances.

In this complete look at why children disappear, what tips a PI will use to track them down and the benefits of professional help when time is critical, we will take you deep.

Why Do Teens Run Away?

The first step to solving the problem is to have an understanding as to why teens run away. Pressure from both school, family, peers and societal expectation is immense in the lives of adolescents. While every case is unique, certain common themes often emerge:

Family Conflict

Unsolved conflicts at home is among the reasons why many teens run away. Rules, curfews, personal freedom can each lead to major disputes — and arguments. In case a teen feels misunderstood or alienated, running away can be the only escape.

Peer Pressure and Bullying

School or online can be brutal when it comes to social dynamics. But often, victims of bullying feel trapped and isolated and feel they have no way out but to run away.

Mental Health Struggles

Teens who leave home have depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. A child who is emotionally a mess might think that leaving will be a relief or a fresh start.

Desire for Independence

You know adolescents want autonomy. Some run away with the hope of freedom and independence, unaware of what's ahead of them.

Abuse and Neglect

Unfortunately, there is abuse, physical, emotional, or sexual, that plays a huge part. Available to teens in abusive environments, some teens may choose to run away, to get away from the harm, or to be safe.

Influence of External Forces

Predators, human traffickers, and online acquaintances that prey on their vulnerabilities lure away some teens. This is one of the most dangerous situations and needs a prompt reaction.

Emotional Impact on Families.

As a parent, you are consumed by fear and guilt, asking yourself what they missed or what you could have done differently. The psychological toll of uncertainty — and even the knowledge that your child might not be alive or safe — can be hard to put a number to

Given the lack of a runaway teen can be jarring to siblings. At the same time, extended family members may be clueless or helpless, about what to do to help the immediate family. It's an emotional rollercoaster for the two and everyone involved.

A private investigator can ease the burden of this sensitive emotion. When families are sent on a search for answers, they don't just have someone to help them find answers; they also have someone to give them hope and to empower them.

How Private Investigators Locate Runaway Teens

Private investigators combine traditional detective work with high-tech techniques to find missing children. They are professional and discreet, precise in their approach, and want results as soon as possible. Here at Martin Investigative Services, we have US UNITE, our agency’s own, highly proprietary in-house computer system. The cost for our investigators to perform a “locate” search is $750.00.

Analyzing Digital Footprints

The reality is teens live a large portion of their life online and leave a treasure trove of data. Private investigators comb through:

• Social media activity: The teens' posts, likes, comments, and shared content can say a lot about where the teen may be, what they are thinking, and who they are with.
• Text messages and emails: Investigators can search these with parental permission for clues.
• Geotags: Location data is often included as photos and posts, allowing users to more easily narrow down a search area.

By following a teen's digital trail, investigators can map out where they've been and where they're likely to go to next.

Interviewing Close Contacts

That can include friends, classmates, relatives, and even neighbors. Because they have opened doors with discretion and neutrality, they generally get better cooperation from a teen's peers than from parents or law enforcement.

Public Records Searches

Teens may not have much of a paper trail, but investigators can access public records that reveal helpful details:

• School attendance records
• If employment details are applicable.
• Driver's license or vehicle registration information

Frequently these records, just by being runaways, can pin investigators to locations or individuals that are linked to the incident.

Surveillance Operations

Private investigation is anchored on surveillance. Investigators often go on surveillance to confirm a credible tip about a teen's whereabouts. This may involve:

• Monitoring known places the teen used to go.
• Keep an eye out for individuals interacting with you.
• Gathers photographic or video evidence of the teen's movements.

GPS Tracking

With permission from a teen's parents, they can use GPS to find a teen's phone — or any other device. PIs can use apps and geo-fencing tools to pinpoint exactly where a runaway is the time. When used with other investigative techniques, this method is particularly effective.

Finding Runaway Teens: Challenges

Private investigators are not unfamiliar with challenges 

Overcoming Emotional Barriers

Fear and guilt can quickly cloud parents' judgment and stop cooperation. While PI must navigate emotionally, we also need to conserve the energy to investigate.

Navigating Privacy Concerns

There is also a legal right of privacy for teens and for any teen who is being helped to realize that right. Within those bounds, however, investigators can complicate some aspects of a search for investigations, such as when they must operate within the bounds of the law to avoid infringing upon rights.

Time Sensitivity

It becomes more difficult the longer a teen goes missing. That can prolong the timeline, cause the teen to move further away, to get into dangerous situations, or for the teen to get harder to monitor digitally.

Need a Private Investigator for a Runaway Teen in California?

Runaway teen cases can be emotionally taxing. If you want help to find your missing teenager in California, working with a full team of private investigators can be a smart decision. The big difference between PI firms and PI freelancers/consultants is that firms give you more value for your money by tasking many experts to work on your case simultaneously.  For example, at Martin PI your case is assigned to a specialized team of former FBI, IRS, and Secret Service agents.  This speeds up case resolution, and the best thing is you won’t have to pay more. 

When to Hire a Private Investigator?

While every situation is unique, there are certain indicators that it's time to bring in a professional:

1. Your child has been missing for more than 48 hours.
2. You've checked everyday hangouts and have exhausted all standard search efforts (met with friends, etc.)
3. You know your teen is in danger, like predators, traffickers, or abusive people.
4. In a case with so little evidence, so many suspects, and so much time to carry out the heinous crime, law enforcement already has its hands full.

Private investigators are a big help when quick action is required. Then, if they can act quickly and decisively, it's like finding a runaway teen before harm can be done.

Advantages of Engaging a Private Eye

There are advantages to going for a private eye.

Expertise and Resources

The average person does not even have access to databases, tools, and networks that PIs get. This training helps train them on how to come into complex situations and lead them onto leads quite fast.

Time-Saving

Time is of the essence in a missing person case. The efficient work of private investigators maximizes the chance of a successful outcome.

There is Discretion and Professionalism.

Discretion on the PIs part means your investigation remains confidential. They also act professionally when it comes to emotionally charged situations, focusing on families to keep to their goals.

Building upon Law Enforcement Assistance

Because the job involves gathering information that often is sensitive and in places where the law enforcement has not been able to reach, private investigators often work in tandem with law enforcement agencies, frequently sharing leads and evidence to speed up the search.

Effective Ways for You to Engage a Private Investigator

To make the most of your partnership with a PI:

• Be transparent: Generally, write the best information you have without regard for how it may appear.
• Set clear expectations: Describe the scope of the investigation and what you hope to gain from it.
• Stay involved. Your input and cooperation are crucial to the investigation's success, yet the PI still does the heavy lifting.

Conclusion

For every parent out there, there is nothing worse than a child disappearing and you don't have to deal with it alone. Families going through crisis get a lifeline of cutting edge technology, investigative expertise and passion for finding missing teens. With their help you can get from despair to action and finally to hope.

Don't wait if your child has run away or gone missing. Time is of the essence, and professional help can be the difference. Today, take the first step, reach out to a trusted private investigator, and get your child home. Whenever your kid is missing, time is of the essence. The sooner you call in the professionals, the better.

At Martin Private Investigative Services, we utilize US UNITE, our exclusive, highly proprietary in-house computer system. Our expert investigators conduct location searches with precision and efficiency, and the service fee is $750.00. Our team comprises former DEAS, IRS, FBI, and Secret Service agents. For more information, please don't hesitate to contact us at (800)-577-1080.

FAQs

Martin Investigative Services

Martin Investigative Services office is located at 620 Newport Center Dr Suite 1100, Newport Beach, CA 92660 

Open: 24/7

Phone: (800) 577-1080