TROOP E NEWS RELEASE
May 26, 2015
Louisiana Winner – 2015 National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest
Alexandria, LA- Today, the Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children announced 10 year old James C. Sanders as the winner of Louisiana’s 2015 Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest. James’ entry was submitted to the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) poster contest, proudly representing Louisiana and received the second runner up, nationally, out of 51 entries. James is a 5th grader at Fellowship Elementary in Trout, Louisiana.
James’ excellent entry looks like a puzzle with children representing individual pieces. James stated, “America is like a giant puzzle with every person having their own special place or ‘piece.’ When someone is missing, the puzzle is not complete. When someone loses a child, their life cannot be complete until the child is found.”
Every year, OJJDP hosts a national poster contest to raise greater awareness about missing children. The contest is designated for children in the 5th grade and is designed to engage communities in discussions about the intervention and prevention of child abduction. The contest conclusion coincides with National Missing Children’s Day which, in 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed as May 25th.
This year, 48 states (including the District of Columbia), Guam, Saipan, and the Royal Air Force Lankenheath Military Base in England participated in the competition. Posters were designed to illustrate the theme of "Bring Our Missing Children Home." Fifty-one (51) posters were submitted. This success is attributed to the support of national partners: state Clearinghouses for Missing Children, state Departments of Education, Boys and Girls Clubs, the National Children's Alliance, ICAC Task Forces, Amber Alert Coordinators, the National Children's Advocacy Center, AMECO member organizations, Find Youth Info, National Art Education Association, RadKids, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and state and local libraries.
In Louisiana, 13 children are reported missing, on average, every day. A large percentage of these children are runaways who are vulnerable and most at risk for becoming victims of crime such as sexual exploitation. In an effort to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children, the Louisiana State Police recently formed the Special Victims Unit which is responsible for investigating cases of child exploitation, child trafficking as well as human trafficking.
The Louisiana State Police is especially proud of James for his community involvement. All citizens, public agencies and private organizations are encouraged to commemorate National Missing Children’s Day, renew their commitment to find missing children and honor those whose tragic loss remains in our hearts and memories.
Contact Information:
M/T Daniel “Scott” Moreau
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section – Troop E
Office: (318) 769-9USA (872)
scott.moreau@la.gov
www.LSP.org
www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice
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