🚨 Virginia State Police Debunk Viral ‘Mass Kidnapper’ Rumor
The Virginia State Police are addressing and debunking a viral rumor circulating on social media that claimed dozens of children were kidnapped in the state in just one week. Police emphasize there is no evidence of a “mass kidnapper” operating anywhere in the Commonwealth.
This misinformation began spreading through viral TikTok videos and Facebook posts, prompting law enforcement to issue a public clarification.
📌 What Police Say
According to Virginia State Police, the majority of missing child cases in the state involve runaways, and most children return home quickly. Last week, 88 children were reported missing to the state clearinghouse — a figure that is consistent with Virginia’s 2025 weekly average of 98. Only about 4% of these cases remain unresolved long-term.
All recent missing child cases in Virginia are classified as runaways, not abductions. The state also reports every missing child case to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which can make its statistics appear higher than in other states. In reality, the vast majority of these children are found within days.
📌 Understanding CODI and AMBER Alerts
A CODI Alert is issued for missing or endangered children when police believe they are in danger, but it is not necessarily a confirmed abduction. An AMBER Alert is only issued if law enforcement verifies that the child was taken unwillingly and is in imminent danger of serious harm or death.
Both alerts have specific criteria that must be met. In 2025, Virginia has issued 25 CODI Alerts and two AMBER Alerts — and police report that every child in those alerts has been found safe.
📌 Safety Tips for Parents and Guardians
Police encourage parents and guardians to talk to their children about safety, including:
- Not getting into vehicles with strangers
- Knowing how to call 911 in an emergency
🔗 Sources
👉 What You Can Do
Help stop the spread of misinformation by sharing accurate information from verified sources. Always check official law enforcement updates before believing or reposting claims about missing persons.
🔎 Help bring Hope home. Visit CanadaMissing.ca to discover more unsolved cases across the country.
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