Locating Runaways

Runaways

Runaways are not always teenagers. There are many adults who run away from their home environment, as well. And, of course, there are as many reasons for the running away as there are runaways. This example does not include those persons abducted by cults, or those who are kidnapped. Kidnapping is a problem for the FBI, and no private investigator of any integrity will try to become involved unless that agency decides the problem is not within their purview.

Teenage runaways, that is, any runaway under the age of 17 - no, not the adult age of 18 - fall into this category. 17 years is usually the age at which local police authorities consider the runaway too close to the age of majority to be a problem. This proves to be a rationalization that is hard to support, but it nevertheless exists.

Locating, and the return of, a runaway requires an experienced investigator who knows how to deal with the runaway's peers, whether teen age or adult. The investigator must have the experience to determine the lifestyle the runaway has assumed as a cover, the lifestyles available for cover, and the lifestyles of the peers as they may relate to the runaway. This is not a simple determination, but once learned, its application can lead the experienced investigator to the runaway, and resolve half of the runaway problem.

Once the runaway is found, managing to return him/her to their home environment is the other half of the problem. Obviously, a teenager who runs away form an abusive home environment can not be returned to that environment, and the investigator, in good conscious, should not try to effect such a return. In many cases, though, the truth of the home environment has to be learned. Again the experience of the investigator is a fundamental factor. The same principles apply to adult runaways, but different approaches are required. Great tact and social awareness is required in both situations.

The major problem with all runaway assignments, is the parent(s) often feels the need to control the progress and methods of the investigation. Unfortunately, this micro-management by a non-professional can create such interference that the runaway is alerted and the case is functionally destroyed.

Cult Abductions

Cult abductions is nothing other than kidnapping, in truth. However, it is rarely looked upon by the FBI or other law enforcement agencies as a viable crime. Rarely to they see a cult abduction as anything other than a voluntary joining of a cult by an adult. So, an investigator with experience in the workings of the many and various cults is required to find the abductee. There are some investigators, or non-licensed persons who specialize in locating and capturing the abductee for the purpose of 'deprogramming'. This is another form of kidnapping, and one that most law enforcement agencies will consider a crime. If you have a person close to you who has 'joined' a cult, do consider having them located, but do not consider having them captured for deprogramming. An adult must be convinced their new lifestyle is not to their best interests, and to create such convincing, special training and tactics that are not illegal, have to be used.

Unfortunately, deprogramming does not always work and many times results in the abductee returning to the cult as soon as possible, to become more deeply hidden by that cult. Examples of such 'cults', as commonly interpreted, are the Moonies (The Unification Life Church; Church of God in Love - not to be confused with the Church of God in Christ); The Church of Scientology.