This is in memory of Parker Wells of Calgary, who sadly went missing and had to wait more than 48 hours before an amber alert was issued. Sadly, the outcome was the worst possible news .

Every minute counts when a child goes missing, but the current Amber Alert criteria often delay the activation of these crucial alerts for children with special needs. This can be a critical oversight, as children with special needs can be especially vulnerable and may not behave in the same way as typical children in emergency situations.

Currently, Amber Alerts require specific conditions to be met, including evidence of abduction, which can often take time to confirm. This delay could mean the difference between life and death for children who may be unable to communicate effectively or seek help independently due to their special needs.

Research and statistics continuously highlight that children with special needs, such as those on the autism spectrum or with intellectual disabilities, are at a higher risk of going missing. For example, according to a study by the National Autism Association, 49% of children with autism wander from safe environments, and drowning is the leading cause of death following these incidents. In these perilous scenarios, immediate action is paramount.

We propose an urgent reform of the Amber Alert system to waive the current waiting time and criteria for children with special needs. A streamlined protocol that activates alerts immediately upon a report of a missing special needs child could enhance their safety considerably and could potentially save lives.

This petition calls for legislative and systemic changes at the national level to ensure such updates are made. Help us protect our most vulnerable children by signing this petition—your support could be the key to safeguarding a child's life.