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Detectives assigned to the Juvenile Section specialize in investigating crimes that are committed by individuals under the age of eighteen (18).  The public is often confused about when a case is handled by the Juvenile detectives.  The deciding factor is the age of the perpetrator, not the age of the victim.  If an adult molests or batters a child, the case is handled by the Detective Bureau; however, if a child (under the age of 18) molests or batters another child, the case would be handled by the Juvenile detectives.

Our Juvenile detectives handle a steady caseload of complaints ranging from truancy to aggravated assault.  Juvenile crime surfaces in every neighborhood and school.  Investigators work closely with school administrators to handle the daily problems that occur in all public and private schools.  In addition to the support of our Juvenile detectives, the Fort Wayne Police Department provides a SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER to all high schools administered by the Fort Wayne Community Schools system.

The Juvenile Section supervisor also manages all Missing Person complaints.  The Fort Wayne Police Department handles 70-80 Missing Person complaints each month.  Most of these complaints involve a runaway-child who eventually returns on their own, or they are apprehended by the police.  It's not unusual for our department to be contacted by an out-of-state police agency alerting us that they have located one of our missing juveniles.  When this happens, the parents are notified and it's their responsibility to travel to the other location and collect their child.

Occasionally, the missing person complaint involves a an elderly adult who has walked away from a hospital or other care-providing facility.   Fortunately, most of these investigations have a safe and happy ending.

The Alzheimer Identification Coalition has developed an identification program for people suffering from Alzheimer disease.  The service provides patient registration, a photo of the person, and reporting instructions that can assist the police in their search for a friend or family member who can not be located.  The service is free of charge. For more information call 260-420-5547 or e-mail them at alzheimersupport@fwi.com