A child identification and protection program attracted 79 children Saturday at Houston Elementary School.
Texas County Lodge 177 along with help from Latimer Lodge 145 and Mary S Chapter 126 (Eastern Star) held the Missouri Child Identification and Protection Program, which is sponsored by Masonic Children’s Foundation.
It provides parents and guardians of a child some valuable tools: A small computer disc contains various poses of the child. They can be circulated by the police to media in the case of an abduction. A complete set of digital fingerprints is included. An information sheet about the child includes distinguishing features such as hair and eye color, scars, etc. The disc also contains information on parents or guardians.
Parents also receive two laminated I.D. cards. Before they leave they also receive a wafer dental impression or for small children, a DNA dental swab. The saliva from the dental impression also provides a pure, exclusive scent, which can be used by tracking dogs to find lost children.
The event, which is open to all children from birth to 18 years of age, is held annually in conjunction with a parenting fair. You don’t have to live in the school district, and it will be held again next year.