If you got an unusual text message this morning your’re not alone. A new A.M.B.E.R. Alert System takes effect in 2013. All new smart phone come equipped with Wireless Amber Alerts.
Early Wednesday morning 5 year-old Skylar Meldin Coulcer-Jarding was apparently taken from his mothers home after a man attacked the boy’s mother and another person with a hammer.
Police say, 36 Year-old Brain Lester Depriest and ex-boyfriend entered the home located in The Dalles, Oregon, assaulted the two adults and fled in a stolen light blue 1998 Chevy Cavalier. Soon after, a widespread A.M.B.E.R. Alert hit cellphones across the state with the vehicle description and plate numbers. While police were attending to AMBER Alert calls, they managed to find the boy and the alleged kidnapper. The boy was found unharmed just hours after being taken, which police say is very important in kidnapping cases.
According to police, the first three hours are the most critical time during the investigation. Statistics show that in the first hour, there is a 46.8% chance that the child could have been hurt or killed followed by 76.2% chance of the same within three hours. Within 24 hours, the chance of a child being harmed jumps to 88.5%.
Tonight Depriest is in police custody and the boy is said to be okay. Police didn’t comment on any specific charges.
For more information about AMBER Alerts log on to www.missingkids.com or visit your cell phone service provider.
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