“Every day a child is reported missing across the country due to abduction,” Perdue said. “As parents, we must instill in our children the importance of being aware of their environment and also teach them the fundamental basics of child safety. As a community, we must protect what is most dear to us.”

“Our children are our most precious resource and we need to do all we can to protect them,” said Reuben Young, secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. “Each and every one of our children needs to know that dangers exist, and how to avoid them.”

In recognition of the upcoming National Missing Children's Day on the 25th, the NC Center for Missing Persons raised awareness about missing children and child safety during an event today at Holly Grove Elementary School in Holly Springs. CCPS Deputy Secretary Rhonda Raney read the proclamation during today's event.

Last year, the N.C. Center for Missing Persons recorded 8,082 missing children. More than 96 percent of those children returned safely to their families. CCPS' State Highway Patrol oversees the center. The agency also issues AMBER and Silver alerts.

The majority of children reported missing each year are teen runaways who often return to their families on their own or are found by law enforcement. Some children are taken by non-custodial parent or relative.

An AMBER Alert is only issued when a child, age 17 or younger, is believed to have been abducted by a stranger or is in danger of injury or death. The alert allows citizens be on the lookout for the abductor or the child and notify law enforcement if they are seen.

In 2009, the Center for Missing Persons activated the AMBER Alert System 18 times, and all but one child was successfully recovered.

Also last year, the Center for Missing Persons began including children in their Silver Alert Notification System which is used for people with dementia or a cognitive impairment. Last year, 238 Silver Alerts were issued.

To report a missing child, contact local law enforcement. To contact the N.C. Center for Missing Persons, call 1-800-522-5437.

For more information about North Carolina's AMBER Alert System, visit www.nccrimecontrol.org/amberalert. To learn more about the nationwide effort to help locate missing children, go to www.missingkids.org.