FDLE Launches New Florida Spectrum Alert to Help Find Missing Children with Autism
News Brief Summary
- FDLE is launching the new Florida Spectrum Alert statewide.
- The alert is designed to help quickly locate missing children believed to have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- The program was created by the Florida Legislature in 2025 and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.
- Spectrum Alerts will be distributed through text messages, email, social media, the FDLE website, and highway message signs.
- Floridians are encouraged to sign up now to receive alerts and call 911 if they have information about a missing child.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is rolling out a new statewide alert system designed to help quickly locate missing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Known as the Florida Spectrum Alert, the program was established by the Florida Legislature in 2025 and later signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis. The new alert is intended to mobilize communities across Florida and provide law enforcement with another critical tool to safely recover vulnerable children who go missing.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said the new alert recognizes how important every minute can be when a child disappears.
"When our FDLE inspectors, agents and analysts work with law enforcement on missing persons cases, we know that time is of the essence," Glass said. "The Spectrum Alert is another resource for the community that helps agencies get information to the public faster and bring Florida's most innocent and vulnerable home safely. FDLE remains steadfast in our mission in protecting Florida's children."
How the Spectrum Alert Works
The new Spectrum Alert follows many of the same guidelines as Florida's existing Missing Child Alert but adds one important requirement: investigators must reasonably believe the missing child has Autism Spectrum Disorder.
To activate a Spectrum Alert, all of the following conditions must be met:
- The child must be under 18 years old.
- Law enforcement must reasonably believe the child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- Investigators must believe the child is in danger of death or serious bodily injury based on an active investigation.
- A detailed description or photograph of the child must be available for public release.
- The investigating law enforcement agency must recommend activation.
Enhanced Spectrum Alert
FDLE also created an Enhanced Spectrum Alert, which is reserved for cases in which investigators believe the missing child is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury.
Like the standard Spectrum Alert, the enhanced version requires the child to be under 18, believed to have ASD, and have identifying information available for public distribution.
Alerts Will Reach Millions of Floridians
Once activated, Spectrum Alerts will be distributed through Florida's Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) to citizens who have signed up for notifications by text or email.
Depending on the circumstances, alerts may also appear on:
- Electronic highway message signs
- FDLE's official website
- FDLE social media platforms
Officials say the public plays a vital role in helping locate missing children.
Anyone who receives a Spectrum Alert and has information about the child's whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.
Floridians can sign up to receive Spectrum Alerts by email or text through the FDLE's Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse.
Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
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