An AMBER Alert was issued for Lux Tiwari, an infant girl from Newark, Ohio who was abducted by her teenage father. The Licking County Sheriff’s Office is currently searching for the baby, who is described as an Asian female standing at about 2 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing 17 pounds. Lux Tiwari has brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a red flannel dress and white tights. The father, Sewak Tiwari, 19, is described as an Asian male, standing at about six feet tall and weighing 120 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a blue Batman T-shirt, red and black shorts, and white Crocs. The father may be driving a silver 2006 Honda Pilot with Ohio license plate KHE7597, which has front passenger side damage.
Child Find of America reports that 78% of parents who abduct their children are non-custodial parents. The motivation behind family abductions can vary, from dissatisfaction with custody decisions, to unpaid child support leading to denied visitation, protecting the child from abuse, or anger towards the other parent. An AMBER Alert is a nationwide notification system used to alert the public of missing children under the age of 18. The alerts are distributed through various channels such as radio, TV, road signs, cellphones, and other devices. Last year, 1,200 children were found because of the AMBER Alert system, and 180 children were rescued due to these alerts. For an AMBER Alert to be issued, an abduction must have occurred, the child must be at risk of serious injury or death, and there must be descriptive information available about the child, the suspect, or the suspect’s vehicle.
In addition to Lux Tiwari’s case, there are two other active AMBER Alerts for missing children in Tennessee and Wisconsin. Sebastian Rogers, 15, has been missing since February 26 from Sumner County, Tennessee. He is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing around 120 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and wearing glasses. He was last seen in black sweatpants and a black sweatshirt. Anyone with information on Rogers is encouraged to contact the Sumner County Emergency Communications Center or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Elijah Vue, 3, disappeared from his mother’s boyfriend’s house on February 20 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a long sleeve dark colored shirt, and red and green dinosaur slip-on shoes. Authorities are urging anyone with information on Vue’s whereabouts to contact the Two Rivers Police Department.
The alarming rate of non-custodial parent abductions sheds light on the importance of AMBER Alerts in swiftly locating and rescuing missing children. These alerts serve as a crucial tool in mobilizing the public to aid in the search and recovery efforts. The case of Lux Tiwari highlights the urgency of the situation, as authorities are working tirelessly to find the baby and ensure her safe return. The collaboration between law enforcement, the media, and the public is essential in maximizing the effectiveness of AMBER Alerts and swiftly reuniting missing children with their families.
The AMBER Alert system’s success in locating and rescuing missing children underscores the importance of rapid dissemination of information and public engagement in the search efforts. Lux Tiwari’s case, along with the other active AMBER Alerts in Tennessee and Wisconsin, highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and prompt action in response to child abductions. As the search continues for Lux Tiwari, authorities are urging anyone with information on her whereabouts or the suspect’s vehicle to come forward immediately to assist in the safe recovery of the baby. The AMBER Alert system continues to play a vital role in protecting children and ensuring their swift return to safety.