Operation Quickfind: What's the process for reporting a missing person?

Iowa's News Now took a closer look at the process of reporting a missing person on Friday.

Some might be wondering why there wasn't an Operation Quickfind issued for Blake Wilson, who went missing in Cedar Rapids this week.

That's because Quickfinds are usually only issued when it comes to missing children or vulnerable adults with health or mental health issues.

Operation Quickfind goes through the police department first, where they partner up with news agencies to find missing people.

While we might see Quickfinds sent out for missing adults with health or mental health issues, it's mainly designed for missing people under the age of 18.

"It's definitely scary, it's frustrating, you worry about your kid getting taken or disappearing, or you know, all of those things, you know, play in your mind constantly," says Reiny Felstead.

Felstead filled out an Operation Quickfind report for her teen a couple of months ago.

Starting with a trip to the police station, Felstead filled out the forms granting permission for her child's name, description, and photo to be broadcast to the public in hopes of bringing him home.

"You're putting your child out there for all kinds of different things, but you know, you want their -- safety's number one, and then you've got to focus on, you know, what what their mental health status is, what their physical health status is," said Felstead.

The goal is to find missing people swiftly. Quickfinds are typically issued when someone's been missing fewer than 12 hours, but it depends on the circumstances.

"It's definitely something that the police react to quickly especially when they're underage or whatever like that," Felstead said.

Authorities will get the word out immediately, notifying local media or even posting on social media.

And like many Operation Quickfinds, Felstead says her son was located and found safe within 24 hours.

"A lot of kids eventually will like, they go back because they don't have resources right, they don't have food, they don't have meds, they don't have somewhere to sleep," said Felstead.

If you ever need to report someone missing, the process starts with either a phone call to CRPD's Non-Emergency hotline, 911, or coming to the station to file a report..

And if an Operation Quickfind is an option, they'll ask if you want to put one out.