Why we care

Texas

Texas is among the top states for open missing persons cases
31,864 missing children reports in Texas in 2024.
That’s approximately 87 every day.
More than 3 every hour.

Houston / Harris County

In 2024, Harris County reported 6,945 new missing child cases, and the broader 14-county Houston-Galveston region logged 9,109 missing child reports.
Also in 2024, Harris County recorded 3,513 new missing adult cases.
In 2021, Harris County (of which Houston is the county seat) had 6,816 juvenile missing person entries and 3,292 adult missing person entries into the state database.
The “Texas Killing Fields” area, southeast of Houston along the I-45 corridor, has been associated with 34 bodies found over several decades, many involving young women still missing or unsolved.

The Trace the Lost Process and Funding Needs

We need to clearly illustrate the process we follow and emphasize why TtL exists and the necessity of funding.

While only 16% of U.S. children live in poverty, studies show that up to 45% of missing children come from families living below the Federal Poverty Line.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical phases and associated costs:

Phase 1

Initial Response: Case intake, background research, and early surveillance (24–48 hours).
Cost: $2,500 – $7,000

Phase 2

Ongoing Investigation: Multi-day surveillance teams, travel, and technology support.
Cost: $7,500 – $15,000 per week

Phase 3

Specialized Services: Forensics (digital, social media, phones), undercover work, and legal coordination.
Cost: $5,000 – $20,000

Phase 4

Extended / Complex Operations: Interstate or international tracking, long-term surveillance, and cross-border liaisons.
Cost: $25,000 – $100,000+

Grand Total Range: $40,000-150,000, depending on the length of the case, geographic scope, and complexity.