Have you heard of Code ADAM, brought on by murder victim Adam Walsh?

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Is anyone here old enough to remember the 1981 case of murdered child Adam Walsh? I was just reading a news article that reminded me of this tragic case. It inspired the murder victim's father, John Walsh to create the television program "America's Most Wanted", which he personally hosts. Another thing that came about as a result of this tragedy was the children's pictures on milk cartons and also Code ADAM. In case you have never heard of it, Code ADAM is an internationally-recognized "missing child" safety program in the United States and Canada. It was originally created by Wal-Mart retail stores in 1994 and is named Code ADAM in memory of Adam Walsh, the 6-year-old son of John Walsh. Basically it is a series of steps in order to locate a missing child in a public store, or building that has Code Adam implemented. There are 6 steps that are involved in a Code Adam incident. They are as follows: [i]"If a visitor reports a child is missing, a detailed description of the child and what he or she is wearing is obtained. Additionally, all exterior access to the building is locked and monitored; anyone approaching a door is turned away. The employee goes to the nearest in-house telephone and pages Code Adam, describing the child’s physical features and clothing. As designated employees monitor front entrances, other employees begin looking for the child. If the child is not found within 10 minutes, law enforcement is called. If the child is found and appears to have been lost and unharmed, the child is reunited with the searching family member. If the child is found accompanied by someone other than a parent or legal guardian, reasonable efforts to delay their departure will be used without putting the child, staff, or visitors at risk. Law enforcement will be notified and givenR details about the person accompanying the child. The Code Adam page will be canceled after the child is found or law enforcement arrives."[/i] In case you do not remember the case, Adam Walsh was abducted in a Sears store in Hollywood, Florida in 1981 and his severed head was later found by fishermen. Just today, December 16, 2008, it was announced that the Hollywood Florida Police Department had finally closed the Adam Walsh case as the suspect for this crime, Ottis Toole, had finally confessed to killing Adam Walsh on his deathbed in prison and this information was just revealed by Toole's niece. What an end to such a sad tale. I hope this brought some closure to the Walsh family. R.I.P. Adam Walsh