Urgent Missing Iowa cousins

Missing Iowa Cousins Bring About New Alert System

September 19, 2012 08:50 PM EDT

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Iowa cousins Lyric Cook-Morrissey and Elizabeth Collins have not yet been found, but their disappearance has brought changes to how similar cases will be followed in Iowa.

While an Amber Alert is useful, it is only used when authorities know for sure that a child is in immediate danger or they suspect abduction. With no suspect vehicle or description, no Amber Alert was issued for Lyric and Elizabeth, who haven't been seen since July 13.
However, Iowa has instituted a new alert system. This non-profit, Florida based alert system is called A Child Is Missing. This alert place 1000 calls per minute to notify area residents that a child has disappeared. It can handle multiple cases at a time and can work with no jurisdictional boundaries. Additionally, it serves to notify people if a sexual predator moves into their neighborhood, and can also be used to alert people to missing elderly or disabled persons. Sounds like a great system!
A $50,000 reward is now being offered for information that would lead to Lyric and Elizabeth being found. The girls' parents are pleading with whoever may have taken them to please let them go. If you have any information that might help investigators locate these two girls, you can call:
Cedar Valley Crimestoppers (855) 300-TIPS
FBI (402) 493-8688
Iowa DCI (515) 725-6010
Evansdale Police Tip Line (319) 232-6682
Hopefully these girls are returned to their families soon. They still have a lot of living to do.