Ohio Amber Alert committee reviews information getting to the public

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A meeting of the Ohio Amber Alert Steering Committee in Columbus addressed the media’s need to get new information to the public.

The meeting at the Ohio Department of Transportation Building on Wednesday only last an hour, but included a review of the Amber Alerts.

"It's important to get the info out so the public can know what to look for," said Ohio State Highway Patrol Cpt. Rob Jackson. 

The conversation quickly turned to the recent Amber Alert in Maple Heights on Sunday. That alert involved 28-year-old Darrell A. Spencer, who police said ran off with his 8-month-old son. The baby was safely recovered, but Spencer has not been arrested. He is wanted for domestic violence.

"I think some stations were looking for additional information on how this alert proceeded," said Christine Merritt, president of the Ohio Association of Broadcasters.

The alert was vague and had broadcasters asking for more information.

"From the perspective of viewers and listeners, the more information that can be provided about a suspect or a vehicle the public can use about a child abductor, the better,” Merritt said.

Jackson said police departments do what they can and sometimes all the have is pieces of information to go on.

The committee also went into missing person's alerts. Since March, there have been 39 missing adult alerts to date.

There have been 22 missing persons suicides in the state since January.