34,437. That's the number of missing children that were reported in Canada in 2023, being shared last month in time for International Missing Children's Day.

A year-long issue, RCMP shared those numbers back in May as a way to raise awareness about the problem. It was also shared that almost 26,000 of the cases of missing children in 2023 were runaways, 56% of the 2023 missing children cases were closed within 24 hours, 90% of the 2023 missing children cases were closed within a week.

Those numbers are good evidence that even small details can help bring a child home. In any case of a child disappearing, or possible abduction, there should be no hesitation to call 9-1-1.

Other resources utilized in this situation include "Canada's Missing", a nationwide public website "designed to solicit tips and information from the public for missing children, missing persons, and unidentified remains cases". The National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains is also widely used, assisting  law enforcement, medical examiners and chief coroners with missing persons and unidentified remains investigations across the country.

Read more on the continued problem through the RCMP media's official release HERE.