Missing children: How racial disparities impact the search for the missing | States of America

USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Gina Barton and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explore how the media and police handle cases that involve missing children of color. Gina examines two cases - the story of 7-year-old Alexis Patterson who went missing on May 3, 2002, in Milwaukee, and the widely publicized case of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart who went missing a month later in Salt Lake City. Alexis was Black and Elizabeth was white. Through an emotional interview with Alexis’ mother, we learn why she feels her daughter’s investigation was handled differently because of her race and socioeconomic level. We also interview the current chief of the Milwaukee Police Department who acknowledges that, “trust is a continuous process” with communities of color. Gina Barton has followed the story of Alexis Patterson for 20 years and on States of America she reveals what her research suggests are some of the flaws in the way that cases of missing children of color are handled by both the police and media.

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#MissingChildren #Policing #Milwaukee

[charlottejones]

7 years old is too young to let your child walk by herself.

[jovalove]

After attendance is taken, any child who isn't present, their parents should be called just to be sure. I can't believe this momma's been suffering all this time. Praying for her return and for her family 💜💜💜

[lorriesantos]

WHY DO THE POLICE ALWAYS THINK THEY RAN AWAY

[MegaGrownFolks]

I still think of Lexis. I remember helping on the search for her and was very sad but praying we find her. The media has always been horrible and racist

[beyourself]

She’s seven and you don’t drop her off to school, who the hell does that in this modern scary times?

[ambermoon]

This is true. Unfortunately this is America.

[dmoody]

Meanwhile the step sister said the mom was very abusive to Ayanna.

[peterpiper]

You cant let a little child her age so young like that walk to school by there self and walk home while you in the house just sitting there. Thats wild

[gwendalyn]

all children should be treated the same always no matter what

[noted_]

The mother is no better than the step dad. She allowed this drug addict around her child. Sad that this child had people like this in her life

[droberts]

It's very difficult to even report a missing person.Take care everyone

[bryantstricklandsr.]

I can't even imagine!!! Prayers for this family and ALEXIS PATTERSON'S safe return soon/or some closure for this Beautiful Mother!!! ❣️🙏💯

[tiannajay]

Why is the teacher crying, and the mother isn’t 😳

[myopinion]

It could be someone in the neighborhood that seen her walk home every day

[HoneyBeeTV]

The step dad did it, that walking her to school story was a alibi, smh

[ajwriter]

Like MJ said, “They don’t really care about us.”

[MegaGrownFolks]

Come home Alexis. Dear Heavenly Father, please show her the way❤

[robertafierro]

The disparities are HUGE!! Just for the record I'm considered white. How come the pretty white girls get all the attention?!?

[ernestinamartinez]

Pls everyone share this for awareness of this poor lil girls family I just shared this mom needs justice 😢❤🌎🥰

[hunna]

So many unanswered questions is she still alive? 😢 why did her stepfather hand her off to the crossing guard instead of dropping Alexis in the school that's so strange