Amid rising concerns over the number of children going missing, Public Defender Earl Witter says the nation is impairing their future by not giving adequate attention to such cases.

Witter told The Gleaner yesterday that the police seem to be preoccupied with other investi-gations, like homicide and gun-related cases, which shift the focus from the children.

"Our children are not accorded the societal care they deserve," he said.

Yesterday, a senior police officer admitted the Jamaica Constabulary Force has been failing to effectively carry out its duties with regard to missing children, including those who return home.

No urgency

The senior cop, who wished not to be named, told The Gleaner that he did not feel the police were treating the issue with much urgency.

"They do not show as much interest as they should," the officer said.

The cop said, ideally a thorough investigation should be carried out to find the missing child.

Child, parent interview

But he said in cases where a child is reported missing and later returns home, both the child and parents should be brought in for an interview to determine where the child was.

The childcare agency should also be involved, but he admitted that this does not always come to fruition.

Acting Deputy Children's Advocate Shirley Lewis would not criticise neither the police, parents nor childcare agencies.

She said very little could be done when a child goes missing, then returns home, if the child insists on not telling the parents where he/she was.

"If the information cannot be obtained from the child, the parents or police cannot be held respon-sible," she said.

Lewis suggested that parents build a relationship with their children, based on trust, where the child can feel comfortable enough to speak with them.

n Since the start of the year, more than 700 children have been reported missing

n More than 300 of those reported missing have returned home.