Authorities search for missing Jackson girls, say they could be in Memphis

JACKSON, Tenn. — Several children have been reported missing in recent weeks, so we’re taking a look at how to effectively receive help through local law enforcement.

17-year-old Kourtney King and 16-year-old Shirley Britt went missing Sunday, and according to records, could be headed towards Memphis.

SEE ALSO: TBI, Sheriff’s Office searching for two missing teens

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is aiding the Madison County Sheriff’s Department to locate these missing teens.

The TBI estimates 4-600 children go missing under a number of circumstances in the state of Tennessee every single month.

“When someone goes missing, they notify law enforcement agencies. The local law enforcement agency goes to work developing information directly related to that and conducting an investigation. If they meet the criteria, they have to get that information to the TBI within two hours so they begin the process of issuing an amber alert,” said Crockett County Public Information Officer Stephen Sutton.

The TBI can issue an amber alert for missing people and if there’s imminent concern for a child’s well being they can issue an endangered child alert associated with the Holly Bobo Act.

Silver alerts are for locating the elderly.

For circumstances in which reports don’t meet the criteria for an issued alert, the TBI will post on the web for extra publicity to help locate the missing person.

“The TBI is the clearing house for children in the state of Tennessee, but that means that the TBI is the only entity that can issue an amber alert. We don’t know about every missing child in the state. That’s not TBI’s role. We only know about the missing children who we’re requested to assist in those cases by local law enforcement agencies,” said Sutton.

A little over two weeks ago, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office successfully located two missing children near Missionary Outreach Christian Church.

We’re starting to see a growing trend of missing people throughout the region in just the past month. Here’s what to know when reporting to authorities.

“These alerts are issued to help inform the public of what’s going on, what individuals may be driving, the direction of travel, and the area they may be in. What they look like? What they’re wearing? What the concern is? Each case is different and has a different set of circumstances and a different set of facts that relate to that whether they’re endangered, just missing or confused,” said Sutton.

Sutton encourages families to utilize the Life360 app to keep track of your loved ones.

Always remember, the sooner you notify law enforcement the better. If you have information to share about a missing person, call 1-800-TBI-FIND, 1-800-THE-LOST or reach out to your local law enforcement agency.

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