Amber Alert canceled for 9-year-old Indianapolis girl

UPDATE:

The child has been located safely and the Amber Alert has been canceled, according to an updated alert.

According to police at a scene at an apartment complex near Washington Street and Tibbs Avenue on the west side of Indianapolis, the mother and child were both safely located at this scene.

IMPD Officer William Young provided an update at the scene.

Young said the mother was taken to talk with detectives after the incident and charges will likely be filed.

The incident on the west side started as a "barricaded subject" call because the suspect refused to come outside, Young said. Indiana State Police and the FBI assisted with the investigation.

Young said he wouldn't provide specific details about the investigation that led them to the west side "in case we ever have this situation again."

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INDIANAPOLIS — An Amber Alert was declared Thursday in the disappearance of a 9-year-old girl from Indianapolis.

Delilah Jennings was last seen at 9:24 a.m. Thursday and is believed to be with her mother, who police say is a suspect in Delilah's disappearance.

Delilah is described as about 3 feet and 6 inches tall and 80 pounds She was last seen with her hair in a ponytail and wearing a gray “ILH” shirt with an emblem in the middle, sky blue pants and black and white shoes.

Police asked anyone with more information to contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at 317-327-6540 or 911.

Amber Alert vs. Silver Alert: What's the difference?

Amber Alert

Amber Alerts are generally activated for kids who have been abducted or who are in danger and only if police have detailed information about a suspect. Those Amber Alerts trigger a massive response, including text messages, a message on the INDOT highway boards, social media and an announcement on television and other media channels.

In order for an Amber Alert to be activated, the following criteria MUST be met:

• There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred
• The law enforcement agency believes that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death
• There is enough descriptive information about the victim and the abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child
• The victim of the abduction is a child aged 17 years of younger
• The child's name and other critical elements, including Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center system

Silver Alert

Silver Alerts were previously only issued for "vulnerable adults" who were believed to be in danger, but a 2018 law expanded the Silver Alert program to include "missing endangered children" which means any child who is believed to be incapable of returning home without assistance because of mental illness, intellectual disability or another physical or mental disability.

Silver Alerts get a news release, social media and media attention.

The change in law also resulted in an overall shift in the Silver Alert criteria:

• Person must be a missing endangered adult, missing endangered child, high risk missing person or have a mental impairment validated through a credible medical authority (physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner)
• There must be enough descriptive information to believe the broadcast will help
• Law enforcement must make the request
• The person will be added to the Indiana Data and Communications System/National Crime Information Center

Indiana State Police offer the following recommendations regarding any missing person:

• Contact local law enforcement immediately
• Consider using social media to spread the word
• Routinely keep updated images of your children and immediate family members
• Routinely keep in contact with those who may be suffering from a mental or physical impairment
• Contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678

Anyone with information about Amiah's disappearance should contact IMPD Missing Persons at 317-327-6160, 317-327-3811 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.