When to Activate the South Carolina AMBER Alert

When to Activate the South Carolina AMBER Alert:

As soon as an abduction is reported and the investigation reveals the following:

The law enforcement agency believes that the child has been abducted (taken from their environment unlawfully, without authority of law, and without permission from the child’s parent or legal guardian).

The child is 17 years old or younger, and the law enforcement agency believes the child is in immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death; or if the individual is 18 years old or older, and the law enforcement agency believes the individual is at greater risk for immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death because the individual possesses a proven physical or mental disability.

All other possibilities for the victim’s disappearance have been reasonably excluded.

There is sufficient information available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the victim, suspect, or vehicle used in the abduction.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT send an AMBER Alert if you respond NO to ANY of these statements.

How to Activate the South Carolina AMBER Alert:

Each law enforcement agency will designate two to three ranking officers who will have the sole authority to evaluate the investigating officer’s report regarding the abduction.
When the chief, sheriff, or designee of each department determines that the case meets the criteria for activation of the South Carolina AMBER Alert plan, they then call SLED Headquarters/Chief Robert Stewart at the South Carolina Clearinghouse at (800) 322-4453 and report the abduction (only AMBER Alert designated officers may activate the plan).
The chief, sheriff, or designee then must fax the completed South Carolina AMBER Alert Notification Form and a photograph of the victim to (803) 896-7041 (see attached forms).