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KMBC's Peggy Breit reported that the case is drawing attention to flaws in the state's Amber Alert system. Some law enforcement agencies are issuing their own alerts that the state doesn't recognize, including the one issued by Independence police. Independence asked the Missouri Highway Patrol to ask for a statewide alert, but the patrol declined, because the case didn't meet the Amber Alert guidelines, the patrol said. The guidelines include that a child was abducted and is at risk for serious harm or death. As of a year ago, law enforcement departments can call their own Amber Alerts without approval from an Amber Alert board.

Ten year old McKenna Bishop, rushing from the living room where she had been watching the television, told her mother Carol Cornell about her formerclassmate. The boy had been in her fourth grade class for two weeks at the beginning of the school year at Barranca Elementary School and then abruptly exited. Her mother called the television show, it was the first solid tip police received since the beginning of the case.

Haleigh's mother (Crystal Sheffield) alleges that her father, Ronald Cummings, physically abused both children as a means of punishment. In a statement to the press, Haleigh's Grandmother denied the allegations saying, "This is not the first time they've pulled this out -- it's not the first time. I don't think it's going to turn out the way they want it to. They must want custody really bad,"

Very important tips and advice! It never hurts to be cautious and observant.

So, how can we protect our kids? By paying attention to the clues and cues of those adults who interact with them on a regular basis. Be mindful of any adult who seems "too good to be true" - often volunteering to "go the extra mile" with your child, suggesting lots of one-on-one or "alone" time with your child.

Parents may never have heard of it, but surveys show that 20 to 60 percent of teens are 'sexting'. What is sexting and how can parents deal with it? Richard Guerry, Executive Director for The Institute for Responsible Online and Cell Phone Communication Quoted in Sexting Article by Education.com. The article also mentioned the more dangerous trend of SextCasting!