Law Enforcement
Dedicated investigative support.
We Support, never replace
Finding kids role
“We have worked together on numerous cases, which have led to the safe recovery of child exploitation and sex trafficking victims.” -Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office
Finding Kids adds experienced investigators and family advocates to missing child cases while the lead agency remains fully in control. Our investigators develop and document leads. Parent Support Advocates help families understand the process and stay connected. Your officers conduct the recovery, and your agency determines every investigative and legal action.
Relevant information and potential evidence are securely provided to the lead agency only, and your agency determines all investigative, recovery, and legal actions. Every accepted case has a defined lead agency, direct points of contact, agreed communication procedures, and a clear division of responsibilities. Credit for every recovery belongs to the recovering department.
Click below to download a two-page overview of what our investigators do, how information reaches your detective, where the lines are drawn, and a case example from start to recovery.
What we provide
We add value to your case
When a missing child case needs more dedicated hours, Finding Kids adds licensed private investigators who know how to work inside law enforcement protocols. They pursue leads on the street and online, document what they find, and pass actionable information directly to the assigned detective. In parallel, Parent Support Advocates keep families informed and help organize information the investigation needs.
Hand-off protocol
When a child is located, we notify the lead agency immediately and stand by. Your officers conduct the recovery. Your department makes the arrest decisions.
Verify us
Why finding kids?
Finding Kids is a nonprofit investigative partner, not a vigilante group. We’re incorporated, board-governed, and on record with more than 80 agencies.
cases
Agencies
Found
Family support helps your case
Parent Support Advocates give families a consistent point of contact without speaking for the agency or disclosing restricted information. They help parents understand the process, organize useful information, and stay connected while your investigators remain focused on the case.
Organization governance
A district attorney and an assistant district attorney serve on our Board of Directors. We are a registered 501(c)(3); our annual reports and Form 990s are public on this site.
Proactive operations
Predator targeting
Finding Kids works with law enforcement agencies on proactive operations designed to identify adults seeking to exploit minors before another child is harmed.
Program details
A prevention program where trained adult decoys, posing as minors, engage in carefully controlled online operations to identify adults attempting to exploit children before any real child is harmed. It targets traffickers and sex buyers directly.
It runs through a formal MOU with individual law enforcement agencies. Finding Kids funds the targeting, but it operates within that specific agency's jurisdiction, so legally it's an extension of the agency's own operation, not an independent or freelance effort.
Track Record
Between April 2025 and July 2026, the program contributed to 127 felony arrests, 15 traffickers, 12 buyers, and 2 convictions secured so far, and more cases moving through the justice system.
For Parents in Distress
How to refer us
When your missing child case requires additional investigative capacity, refer it to Finding Kids. Once we accept, we immediately assign a licensed private investigator to begin search operations and a Parent Support Advocate to assist the family. Our investigators analyze digital footprints, monitor online activity, pursue real-time leads, interview those involved, gather and turn over evidence, and conduct targeted fieldwork. All investigative activity follows established legal parameters, and actionable intelligence is shared directly and immediately with the assigned law enforcement agency. Your agency retains control of the case and conducts the recovery when the child is located. Finding Kids provides the additional personnel, specialized skills, and dedicated hours needed to advance the search. All services are provided at no cost to families or law enforcement.
Get in touch
Want to contact Finding Kids?
Reach out with a case, question, or request to discuss how we work with your agency. Fill out the form, and we will get back to you shortly.
This form connects you directly with Finding Kids’ Director of Investigations. The information you provide will remain confidential and will be used only to respond to your inquiry. We will not sell or share your information, add you to a mailing list, or use your contact details for marketing or fundraising.