Around 385 children are currently missing in Bavaria. The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) reported on Monday (as of May 17) that 92 of them were so-called runaways who repeatedly ran away and then came back. According to the LKA, 117 of the young missing persons had disappeared after they had been taken away from their parents or guardians, for example because of disputes over custody. Investigators suspect a violent crime in 12 missing children.
According to the authority, 137 cases involved unaccompanied minor refugees. For many of them, Bavaria is just a stopover, so it’s unclear whether there was a crime behind the disappearance.
The numbers are just a snapshot and could change again quickly, the LKA reported with a view to the International Day of Missing Children on Thursday. There is usually a good outcome and the children return home safely after a few days. Nevertheless, parents should act quickly in such cases, because quick and coordinated action is important. “So don’t hesitate to call the police on 110,” it said.
Last year, the missing persons department of the LKA registered 1049 missing children and young people in the Free State. 966 cases were cleared up. In 2021 there were 929 missing persons cases, of which 859 could be solved.