DIAMOND BEACH – Lower Township Police Department responded to a hotel in Diamond Beach for a report of a missing 7-year-old boy. Upon police arrival, it was learned that the child was here on vacation with his parents and had wandered off. The parents contacted Lower Township Police after a brief unsuccessful search.
Once on scene, Officer Armbruster and Cpl. Smith contacted the Cape May County Sheriff Department K-9 units, Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol and Wildwood Beach Patrol for assistance.
After a brief search, the child was located in the area of Cresse Avenue by the Wildwood Beach Patrol and safely returned to the parents by officers on scene, unharmed.
Safety Tips to Prevent Losing Your Child in a Public Place
- Dress your child in bright colors.
Buy bright shirts, hats and bathing suits to make children easier to spot in a crowd. Neon colors stand out more than muted tones. - Develop a ‘what if’ protocol.
Before reaching your destination, discuss what each family member should do if separated from the group. Tell kids whose help they should seek, such as a lifeguard, police officer or a mom with children. Arrange a meeting point if your kids are old enough to find a pre-determined landmark on their own, or instruct them to stay put if they’re young (under age 8). - Have a recent digital photo of your child on your smart phone or camera.
Better yet, take your child’s picture on the morning of your outing, wearing that day’s outfit. - If you’re traveling in a large group, assign one adult to watch each child at all times.
Don’t make assumptions on who is watching a child. This is especially true when playing in a pool or near water; drownings often occur at pool parties because adults assume someone else is watching the children. - Share your cell number with your child.
Quiz older children to make sure they remember a parent or caregiver’s cell phone number in case of emergency. For younger kids, write your number on their arm with a permanent marker. It will be waterproof, and won’t wash off for days. If you label your child’s clothing, make sure those labels include your cellular phone number.
