Tips on How to Look Out for and Identify a Potential Infant Abductor

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a resource for law enforcement and the healthcare industry about the topic of infant abductions.

As the nation’s clearinghouse about missing and sexually exploited children, NCMEC maintains statistics regarding the number and location of infant abductions and provides technical assistance and training to health care and security professionals in an effort to prevent infant abductions from occurring in their facilities.

NCMEC also provides evidence-based guidance about how to respond when an infant abduction does occur and technical assistance to law enforcement during and after an incident.

Source: Missingchild.org

Profile of “typical” infant abductor

This list of characteristics was developed from an analysis of 308 cases occurring from 1983 through January 2017.

• Usually, a female of childbearing age who appears pregnant.
• Most likely compulsive; most often relies on manipulation, lying and deception.
• Frequently indicates she has lost a baby or is incapable of having one.
• Often married or cohabitating; companion’s desire for a baby or the abductor’s desire to provide her companion with “his” baby may be the motivation for the abduction.
• Usually lives in the community where the abduction takes place.
• Frequently initially visits nursery and maternity units at more than one healthcare facility prior to the abduction; asks detailed questions about procedures and the maternity floor layout; frequently uses a fire exit stairwell for her escape, and may also try to abduct from the home setting.
• Usually plans the abduction, but does not necessarily target a specific infant; frequently seizes any opportunity present to abduct a baby.
• Frequently impersonates a nurse or other allied healthcare personnel.
• Often becomes familiar with healthcare staff members, staff member work routines and victim parents.
• Often demonstrates a capability to provide care to the baby once the abduction occurs, within her emotional and physical abilities.

In addition, an abductor who abducts from the home setting (is):

1. More likely to be single while claiming to have a partner.
2. Often targets a mother whom she may find by visiting health care facilities and tries to meet the target family.

• Often plans the abduction and brings a weapon, although the weapon may not be used.

1. Often impersonates a health care or social services professional when visiting the home.