Few people can relate to the daily psychological challenge of wondering if a missing child will return home, or if someone will ever receive answers about what happened to their loved one.
For families and investigators, those questions linger - even years or decades after their loved one was last seen.
"You can't help but live in hope, but rationally you know the outcome may not be good."
Those are the words of Detective Sergeant Craig Marriott of ACT Policing's Long Term Missing Persons Unit. As an investigator, he knows the psychological challenge for the families of missing children and the police officers trying to bring them home.
"Helping people is part of police work and we do everything we can to bring a missing child home, but in the back of your mind you know it isn't always possible," Det Sgt Marriott said.
"Going about your daily life while knowing a loved one might not come home is an incredibly difficult thing for families to endure.
"It's why International Missing Children's Day is so important. The day highlights the mental strength of families and investigators to keep going."
Missing Persons Units investigate cases in all states and territories; the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is a non-operational arm of the AFP that drives national coordination, policy, and awareness of missing persons in Australia.
The NMPCC raises awareness annually on International Missing Children's Day (IMCD).
Each year in Australia, police receive more than 50,000 missing persons reports, with over half relating to youth aged 13-17.
Most children are found quickly - many within just 24 hours; about 95 per cent of people reported missing in Australia are found within a week.
Yet the ones who aren't are never forgotten.
It's a message underscored by the IMCD 2026 theme of 'Interrupted Futures', which is a chance to reflect on the deep sense of loss felt when a child disappears, and all the little parts of their lives become paused.
AFP Missing Persons Coordinator Anthea Windsor said the theme was a reflection on the profound psychological challenges that families endure every day.
"The theme of 'Interrupted Futures' symbolises the unfinished games, the unpacked schoolbags, the unread chapters, and the incomplete drawings," Ms Windsor said.
"They're all the small moments of family life we can take for granted, but which take on sorrow when they don't come to pass.
"For loved ones, the uncertainty and pain of not knowing what happened can be overwhelming. International Missing Children's Day serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the turmoil and longing these families and friends experience.
"It's something that also helps motivate investigators to remain steadfast in their mission to locate missing persons and reunite them with loved ones."
This year marks five years since an oak tree in Canberra's National Arboretum was designated as a permanent place of remembrance, and a symbol of hope and strength for the families, friends, and communities of missing children and the police officers who investigate these cases.
The tree is one of 40,000 planted on the Canberra site, but its significance is arguably the most important.
This year, as part of IMCD, the NMPCC is highlighting seven missing children cases from across the states and territories, all differing in circumstances but united in impact.
Anyone with information on the below cases, or any missing persons matters, is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000:
Juan Philip Morgan (South Australia)
Age when last seen: 15 (now 48).
Missing since: 1 January, 1992.
Juan Morgan went missing in 1992, but police did not identify him as a missing person until 1999 during investigations into the disappearances of David McWilliams, Leo Daly and Robert Pendergast. Police believe, on 25 February 1992 Juan was taken to an unknown location in country South Australia, where he was shot, killed and buried, possibly over the theft of a car and related property damage. His suspected murder is being investigated alongside the other three cases under Operation Jarrah, but there is currently insufficient evidence to charge anyone.
Megan Mulquiney (Australian Capital Territory)
Age when last seen: 17 (now 59).
Missing since: 28 July, 1984.
Megan Mulquiney started work at 8.30am on 28 July, 1984 at Big W in the Woden Shopping Centre, Canberra. She was seen leaving her workplace at 12.05pm after her shift ended. Megan was last seen at about 12.15pm, standing outside the western entrance of the plaza adjacent to Big W and the western car park. She was due to catch a bus home but never arrived.
Craig Taylor (Tasmania)
Age when last seen: 10 (now 43).
Missing since: 3 September, 1993.
Craig Taylor was at his grandparent's shack in Coningham, south of Hobart, for the school holidays. The Taylor family lived in Launceston but visited the Coningham region often and Craig would have known the local beach, main road and local area well. Although he knew his surroundings, he disappeared sometime after breakfast and, despite immediate searches, has not been seen since.
Ronya Livoni (Northern Territory)
Age when last seen: 16 (now 62).
Missing since: 10 March, 1980.
Ronya Livoni was last seen by her mother at their home on 10 March 1980. Ronya left home without a change of clothing or any money. She has not made contact with any of her family or friends since that time.
Annastaes (Anna) Banitskas (Victoria)
Age when last seen: 15 (now 66).
Missing since: 28 August, 1974.
Anna Banitskas was last seen when she left home for work. She didn't attend her workplace and it was found she had taken family photographs from a photo album. Anna's family are eager to speak with her but would abide by her wishes if she didn't want contact with them.
Thawatchai (Ben) Jaroennet-Lewis (Western Australia)
Age when last seen: 18 (now 34).
Missing since: 28 June, 2010.
Thawatchai Jaroennet-Lewis, also known as Ben, was last seen in Quandong St, Leeman, Western Australia, at 11pm on 28 June, 2010. He was wearing a brown jumper, blue jeans, white skate shoes and a grey beanie with red motif. Ben has not contacted his family or friends since this time.
Melony and Chad Sutton (Queensland)
Melony's age when last seen: 14 (now 48).
Chad's age when last seen: 16 (now 49).
Missing since: 23 November, 1992.
Chad and his sister Melony left their Inala home in Queensland at 8.35am. They were both walking to school as they had missed the bus. Enquiries reveal they didn't attend school that day. It was later learnt they intended to hitchhike to Perth. Chad and Melony have not been seen or heard from since.
About International Missing Children's Day (IMCD)
The annual International Missing Children's Day is observed globally on 25 May. It is dedicated to drawing attention to the hundreds of thousands of children who go missing around the world every year. The day also aims to highlight the efforts by law enforcement to find and reunite missing children with their families and promotes measures to protect children.
Each year in Australia, police receive more than 50,000 missing persons reports, with over half relating to youth aged 13-17.
Most children are found quickly - many within just 24 hours - but for those who aren't, what follows can be weeks, months, years or a lifetime of heartbreak and confusion for families and friends.
Around the world it is estimated more than one million people are reported missing every year.
About the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC)
The AFP's NMPCC plays an active role in coordinating national police efforts and educating the Australian community to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.
It is not involved in the investigation of missing persons; these investigations are all undertaken by the relevant state and territory police.
Anyone can report a missing person or lodge a sighting by contacting Crime Stoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.
