Hillsborough Sheriff Launches New Program To Find Missing Kids

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Parents visiting the Florida State Fair Friday are urged to register their kids for a new sheriff's office program that will help locate their children faster if they go missing.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will launch and begin registering children for the new K.ID (Kid Identification) program and fingerprinting event Friday, April 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the sheriff's booth inside the Expo Hall at the Florida State Fair.

According to the FBI, an estimated 460,000 children are reported missing every year in the United States. In those situations, it is critical to get information to law enforcement as quickly as possible, said Sheriff Chad Chronister, who will be available to answer questions at the sheriff's booth from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

“Taking action now could save precious time in an emergency,” he said. “We hope this will be information we never need to use, but if a child is missing, deputies need immediate access to accurate details to help bring that child back home quickly and safely."

Through the sheriff's online registration program HCSO K.ID (Kid Identification), parents and legal guardians will be able to register their child’s information with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. A photo of the child is required, along with a detailed physical description of the child.

Once the initial application is approved, the sheriff's office will provide the parents and guardians with a fingerprinting card to print out and bring to their nearest sheriff's district office. A deputy will take the child's fingerprints and provide the sole copy of those prints to the parent or guardian, who will then hold onto the fingerprint card and provide it to law enforcement in the event the child goes missing.

HCSO K.ID registration is open to anyone under 18, but fingerprinting may not be immediately available for children under 2.

Parents are encouraged to update the child's description frequently to ensure that the information on file remains accurate.

HCSO K.ID is available in English and Spanish. Parents can register here or by scanning the QR code on the photo below.