More than two years after amendments to the Child Protection Act were passed, the regulations that will govern which cases will prompt the activation of the Marco Alert were introduced in the House of Assembly yesterday. The regulations would bring effect to the amendments, which were a direct result of the gruesome murder of 11-year-old Marco Archer. Marco was found dead on September 28, 2011, several days after he was reported missing.

The Marco Alert is similar to the U.S. Amber Alert, which is a voluntary partnership involving law enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies and the wireless industry to activate an urgent bulletin in serious child abduction cases.

According to the regulations, which were tabled by Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage, prior to the issuance of a Marco alert, the commissioner of police "shall in satisfying himself that a child is at risk of harm or death, confirm that there is reasonable belief that a child is missing or has been abducted; that the child is in danger of serious bodily injury or death; and that there is descriptive information about the child that will assist in the recovery of the child".

In the case of runaways or abduction, the protocol for activating the alert will come where there is reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abducted by a parent; or the child ran away from his or her residence. The regulations add, "No alert shall be issued unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the child is in danger of serious bodily injury or death".

Once it has been determined that the protocols for an alert have been met in accordance with regulations, the commissioner of police will initiate the proceedings to get the information on the missing child broadcast and published by the media and other partners.

The minister of national security will determine the frequency in which the alert is broadcasted via radio or television. In the case of a newspaper, the alert will be published daily. In the cases where a child is found, the director of Social Services will be notified to ensure the necessary care for the child. The day Marco disappeared, police reportedly told his family that they had to wait 24 hours before investigating.

During debate on the amendments to the Child Protection Act in 2014, Nottage said Marco's family wrote to him shortly after the boy's death and recommended the alert for missing children and the sexual offenders register.

On August 2, 2013, Kofhe Goodman was found guilty of Marco's murder.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian