Missing Persons

Missing Persons

Our Missing Persons Unit handles all cases involving missing persons from Elk Grove. Additionally, the Unit will handle requests from other agencies to try and locate people who may be in the Elk Grove area. This unit has been very successful in tracking down and clearing our cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to wait to report someone missing?

There is no minimum time you must wait to report someone missing.

My child is at someone's house and will not come home. Can I report them missing?

No. When you know where someone is, they are not missing. You need to go to the location and try to pick your child up. If you have a problem when you get there, and the location is within the Elk Grove city limits, you may call our non-emergency line at (916) 714-5115. If you are outside the city limits, contact the local law enforcement agency.

Do you have a program to help assist families with Alzheimer or other at-risk family members?

The Elk Grove Police Department is proud to announce its involvement in the Nationwide Project Lifesaver Program. The Project Lifesaver Program will be offered free of charge to Elk Grove residents who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's Disease, autism, or other conditions that make them likely to wander away from caregivers.

Help Find A Missing Person

If you have any information regarding the where-about's of a missing person, please help us reunite them with their families by calling our:
Missing Persons Line at (916) 478-8299

You may remain anonymous if you desire.

Reporting A Missing Person

If the person you are reporting is "at risk", meaning they are:

  • A child under 14
  • Have a serious medical condition that requires attention
  • Missing under suspicious circumstances
  • Are suicidal

Call 9-1-1 immediately. Explain the status of the individual to the dispatcher.

To make a missing persons report, please call our Non-Emergency dispatch number: (916) 714-5115.

If you have any information regarding the where-about's of a missing person, please help us reunite them with their families. Please call our Non-Emergency dispatch number: (916) 714-5115.

Please keep in mind the following:

  • There is no waiting period to report someone missing.

  • If you have had a fight with your child and they just walked out the door in anger, they are not missing. Go after them and talk.

  • If you are the legal guardian of a runaway juvenile and you know where the child is, they arenot missing. You need to go pick them up. If you have a problem when you get to the child's location, and it is within the city limits of Elk Grove, you may call the non-emergency dispatch number (916) 714-5115 for an officer to respond to assist you. Please remember, officers will not take your child to Juvenile Hall.

    Being a runaway is not a crime
  • Adults without "special circumstances may be "voluntarily" missing. An example of this would be a husband and wife have an argument and the wife leaves. The husband "assumes" she will return but she does not. If there are no indications that foul play occurred, she may be a Voluntary Missing Adult.