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The Daily Insight

What state has the most child kidnappings?

Author

Sarah Duran

Updated on March 12, 2026

Alaska has the highest number of missing people in the US. When it comes to child abduction statistics in 2020 by state, Alaska takes the lead. The state not only has the highest number of missing people but also the highest crime rate in the country, almost double the national average.

Where is the most common place for kidnapping?

The countries with the highest rates of kidnap are those with weak security infrastructures, high levels of impunity and economic disparity, such as Mexico, Venezuela and Nigeria, and those experiencing prolonged conflicts, such as Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan.

What age are children most likely to be abducted?

Children under the age of 6 are most frequently targeted for family abductions and these often occur in the midst of bitter divorce or child custody battles between parents.

Who are children most likely to be abducted by?

Of the kids and teens who are truly abducted, most are taken by a family member or an acquaintance; 25% of kids are taken by strangers. Almost all kids kidnapped by strangers are taken by men, and about two thirds of stranger abductions involve female children.

What gender kidnaps the most?

Acquaintance perpetra- tors kidnap substantially more females than males (72 percent and 28 percent, respectively). Stranger perpetrators also kidnap more females than males but not quite so disproportionately as acquaintances (64 percent and 36 percent, respectively).

Bodycam Shows Police Rescuing Kidnapped Child in Atlanta

Why do people kidnap kids?

Some of the reasons why a stranger might kidnap an unknown child include: extortion to elicit a ransom from the parents for the child's return. illegal adoption, a stranger steals a child with the intent to rear the child as their own or to sell to a prospective adoptive parent.

What time of day do most kidnappings happen?

The National Center of Missing and Exploited Children has shared the three times in an average day when kidnappings and abductions are most likely to occur.
...
MOST Kidnappings Happen at These THREE Times During The Day

  • Between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM. ...
  • Between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM. ...
  • Between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

How likely is it I will get kidnapped?

Statistics vary, but several sources suggest that the odds of your child being kidnapped are about one in 300,000. To put that in perspective, the odds that you'll choke to death are around one in 3,400.

Which country has the highest rate of kidnapping 2020?

1. Venezuela. Venezuela is placed at right at top countries with the highest rate of kidnapping simply because… you can get kidnapped at any time, from any place.

Do tourist get kidnapped?

Criminal groups often kidnap tourists, then force them to withdraw money from ATMs. In some locations this is known as 'express kidnapping'. It is common in countries in Central and South America, especially Mexico and Colombia, but occurs in other countries. In some cases victims have been killed resisting kidnappers.

Where are the most children abducted?

Per the NCMEC's 2020 database of missing children cases, the top five states in the U.S. with the most missing children are as follows:

  • Texas (3,588)
  • New York (2,502)
  • Florida (2,197)
  • Ohio (2,259)
  • California (1,828)
  • Washington (1,585)

Do tourists get kidnapped in South America?

Some countries in Latin America and the Caribbean registered a large quantity of kidnapping cases in 2020. Brazil led the list with a total of 4,390 kidnapping cases. Mexico followed with 1,022 occurrences. On the flip side, there was only one reported kidnapping in Bahamas during 2020.

What state has the lowest crime rate?

Maine. Maine gets the best score of all states for violent crime per capita, which is the most important factor in our rankings and counts twice as much as each of the other three. There were only 1,466 violent crimes reported in Maine in 2020, or 108.6 for every 100,000 people.

How do you protect yourself from kidnapping?

Tips on How to Prevent Kidnapping and Protect Yourself

  1. Find Alternative Routes. ...
  2. Secure Your Home. ...
  3. Let Someone Know Where You're Going. ...
  4. Tell Your Child to Never Talk to Strangers. ...
  5. Arm Yourself with Self Defense Weapons.

What state has the most missing people?

In absolute terms, California has the largest number of missing persons at 2,133.
...
Here are the 10 states with the most missing persons:

  • California (2,133)
  • Florida (1,252)
  • Texas (1,246)
  • Arizona (915)
  • Washington (643)
  • New York (606)
  • Michigan (556)
  • Oregon (432)

How many babies are stolen from hospitals each year?

2019, 327 children under the age of one have been abducted in the U.S., according to National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Forty-one of those cases have been in Texas. Among all those cases, 140 were abducted from healthcare facilities, 140 from homes and 47 in other locations.

What do I do if my child is kidnapped?

Immediately call the local law enforcement and report your child missing. If your child is a runaway or has been abducted by a spouse, be firm with the law enforcement individual you are talking to, but polite in demanding all that can be done will be done.

How does it feel to be kidnapped?

Typical reactions occur in: Thinking: Intrusive thoughts, denial, impaired memory, decreased concentration, being overcautious and aware, confusion, or fear of the event happening again. Emotions: Shock, numbness, anxiety, guilt, depression, anger, and a sense of helplessness.

Who was the first ever kidnapped?

The boys were named Charley and Walter Ross; they were 4 and 6 years old.

What are the top 5 states for crime?

Here are the 10 states with the highest homicide rates:

  • Louisiana (12.4 per 100,000 people)
  • Missouri (9.8 per 100,000 people)
  • Nevada (9.1 per 100,000 people)
  • Maryland (9 per 100,000 people)
  • Arkansas (8.6 per 100,000 people)
  • Alaska (8.4 per 100,000 people)
  • Alabama (8.3 per 100,000 people)

Which state has the highest murders rate 2021?

Here are the 10 states with the highest murder rate:

  • Louisiana (12.4 per 100k)
  • Missouri (9.8 per 100k)
  • Nevada (9.1 per 100k)
  • Maryland (9 per 100k)
  • Arkansas (8.6 per 100k)
  • Alaska (8.4 per 100k)
  • Alabama (8.3 per 100k)
  • Mississippi (8.2 per 100k)

What's the safest city in America?

Frisco, TX

With just over 200,000 residents, Frisco is the safest city in America according to our metrics. Located approximately 30 miles north of Dallas, Frisco has the fifth-lowest violent crime rate across our study, with 86 violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents.

Will I get kidnapped in Mexico?

In addition, more than 1 million US citizens call Mexico home, living there as permanent expat residents. So the odds of an individual U.S. citizen being kidnapped are quite low, but they are not zero. As noted, the majority of cases reported to the U.S. Embassy have been kidnapping for ransom.

Is Mexico City safe to walk around?

It's safe to walk around some areas of Mexico City at night, like Roma and Condesa, but it's always best to get a cab or Uber once the sun goes down. If you absolutely must go walking around the streets at night, do it in a group.