Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) Practice Exam

What is a reason that does NOT meet the criteria for activating the Amber Alert?

1. Child is abducted by a stranger

2. Belief that the child is a runaway

3. Child is under 18 years old

4. Imminent danger is assessed

The correct answer is: Belief that the child is a runaway

The belief that the child is a runaway does not meet the criteria for activating an Amber Alert. Amber Alerts are specifically designed to notify the public about the abduction of a child, under circumstances suggesting that the child is in imminent danger. The program focuses on cases involving abductions where there is a reasonable belief that the child’s life is at risk. In contrast, when a child is believed to be a runaway, it does not imply that they are in immediate danger or have been forcibly taken by another party. Runaways may often leave voluntarily and may not be in a situation that prompts a widespread alert aimed at locating them quickly to prevent harm. The other options, which involve instances of abduction by a stranger, the child being under 18, and the assessment of imminent danger, are all valid triggers for activating an Amber Alert as they indicate potential peril for the child.