LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge hosted the 10th Annual Never Forgotten – Arkansas Takes Action event today, at the Benton Event Center. Rutledge’s event consisted of an all-day training session for law enforcement and attorneys, a family session, as well as a luncheon to recognize Arkansas’s missing. More than 175 members of law enforcement and families attended the 2021 event that was established to raise awareness to the challenges associated with missing persons cases for families and law enforcement officials while also recognizing Arkansas’s missing children and adults.
“No parent or friend should ever have to endure the heartache and loss that families feel when a loved one is missing,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “I will not rest until each family finds answers and are able to bring their lost loved ones home.”
The luncheon ceremony featured keynote speaker, former State Representative Rebecca Petty, who discussed her personal experience when her daughter, Andi, was kidnapped and murdered by a family member in 1999.
“It is so honorable of General Rutledge and her staff to take action by not letting one child ever be forgotten,” said former State Representative Petty. “I appreciate having an Attorney General who fights to bring all missing Arkansans home.”
The law enforcement training featured Wisconsin Judge Mark McGinnis who spoke on Legal Issues in Missing Persons Cases and the Fourth Amendment. The afternoon sessions offered an overview of Amber Alerts, Silver Alerts and Endangered Missing Alerts by the Arkansas State Police. During the family session, families learned how to utilize social media, organize files and stay connected with Morgan Nick Foundation case managers and family members of long term cases.
In 2018, Rutledge released the first comprehensive resource guide for families of missing which is available to be downloaded or ordered for free at ArkansasAG.gov and NeverForgotten.ar.gov.
For more information about the event or other trainings offered by Attorney General’s Office, please visit ArkansasAG.gov.