What is Amber Alert issued to save 9-year-old in US?

An

Amber Alert

has been issued for 9-year-old

Geon King

, who is

missing

from Durham,

North Carolina

, according to Fox Carolina.
Geon is described as a Black male, standing 4 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 100 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a black hoodie and sweatpants. The alert indicates that he is believed to be with 43-year-old

Mariah King

, who is described as a Black female standing 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds.

Mariah King has brown hair in a bun with a ponytail and brown eyes and was last seen wearing grey sweatpants and a black crop top. She is thought to have left on foot from the address at 202 South Benjamin Street.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Durham Police Department at 919-475-2511 or to call 911 immediately.

What is an Amber Alert?
An Amber Alert is an emergency notification system used to quickly disseminate information about a

child abduction

. Activated when specific criteria are met, the alert aims to locate and recover abducted children swiftly.
These alerts are broadcast via cell phones, highway signs, and local media to maximise public awareness and involvement.
Why is it called an Amber Alert?
The Amber Alert system was established in 1996. It is named in honour of Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl abducted and murdered in Arlington,

Texas

. The tragic case prompted the creation of this alert system to prevent similar incidents and aid in the recovery of abducted children.
Which US states issue the most Amber Alerts?
Texas, the state where Amber Hagerman's abduction occurred, consistently reports the highest number of Amber Alerts, according to New York Post. In 2022, Texas issued 31 alerts, while Georgia and Florida reported 14 and 13 respectively.
Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Navajo Nation, Nebraska, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Vermont all had zero, according to 2022 reporting from the source.
How many kids have been saved because of an Amber Alert?
The Amber Alert system has been instrumental in recovering approximately 1,200 children as of December 31, 2023. The alerts have also led to perpetrators abandoning their plans upon hearing the broadcast, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness in both preventing ongoing crimes and recovering missing children, New York Post reported.
What are the requirements for issuing an Amber Alert?
For an Amber Alert to be issued, several criteria must be met, including the belief that a

child

is under 18, has been abducted, and is in imminent danger. Specific details about the child and suspect must be available to facilitate public assistance in locating the missing child.
The following are the Department of Justice requirements for sending out an Amber Alert, as laid out on AmberAlert.gov.