Missing child alert for Suffolk County teen canceled

Bias in investigating and reporting missing persons?

Derrica Wilson co-founded the Black and Missing Foundation nearly 14 years ago during the aftermath of the search for Natalee Holloway to highlight what she and a growing number of others say is racial bias when it comes to the attention given to missing persons.

NEW YORK - Police have canceled the Missing Child Alert for a Suffolk County teen who went missing for the second time this week.

Jacob Sanchez, a 19-year-old white male from Brentwood, was believed to be in imminent danger. Authorities did not elaborate on why the alert was canceled.

FOX 5 NY COVERAGE OF MISSING PERSONS

Jacob Sanchez, 19, of Brentwood, N.Y. (Via NYS Missing Persons Clearinghouse)

Anyone who sees Jacob was encouraged to contact the Suffolk County Police Department at (631) 854-8152, or call 911.

At the time of his initial disappearance on Nov. 29, police said Jacob was believed to be suicidal and possibly in need of medical attention.

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A Missing Child Alert is activated when someone under the age of 21 is missing and believed to be in danger due to special circumstances — such as cognitive impairment or medical condition — that place them at serious risk of harm or death, according to the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse.

You can view a list of missing children here. Many have been missing for several years.