Congressman Henry Cuellar Advocates for Increased Funding to Protect Missing and Exploited Children

Henry Cuellar

Congressman Henry Cuellar is pushing for more funding to support the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. According to data from the center, there were over 181 Amber Alert activations in 2022, with approximately 13 missing children alerts issued in Texas so far this year. Tragically, one of the recent cases involved the death of 11-year-old Audrie Cunningham, who was found deceased five days after going missing.

Cuellar emphasized the importance of providing resources to law enforcement to combat child exploitation, including pornography. He stressed that efforts to protect children must start at home, urging parents to stay vigilant and watch for any signs of unusual behavior or gifts.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that over 200,000 children are abducted by someone known to them each year, with an estimated 58,000 taken by strangers. Cuellar is working closely with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to secure funding and support for their crucial work.