Child ID program draws hundreds

By Daarel Burnette II
dburnette@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

Seeing her aunt go missing for three days was all too frightening for Keisha Boog.

She was eventually found and was OK, but Boog said she would do all that’s necessary to prevent a similar disappearance.

Yesterday she took her sons, 1-year-old William and 7-year-old Austin, to Byerly Ford-Nissan off Dixie Highway where police were filing fingerprints and handing out identification cards to children.

“We hope this will help if anything happens to them,” Boog said. “We don’t want another” fright.

Close to 300 children had their fingerprints scanned and photos taken. The children’s fingerprints and photos, along with their weight and height, were also logged onto an encrypted disk that only the FBI can read.

Parents were also given kits that contained DNA vials that would keep DNA for up to 100 years and information on child safety regarding lead and ink poisoning.

Around 500 people showed up for the event, which lasted throughout the afternoon. It was the fourth year that the dealership had served as the host, said sales manager Bob Copas.

“If a child goes missing, this allows the police to get their information out to the media in a timely manner,” Copas said.

Six-year-old Pia Cuesta and her brother, Pidion Cuesta, 8, said they spoke with the police officers about not talking with strangers and staying safe.

“I learned to stay close to my parents,” Pia said.

Shively training officer Eric Brooke said when children are missing, stressed parents often can’t remember simple things about them.

“This information becomes very helpful,” he said.

Tracy Frost brought her 5-year-old daughter, Abigail Booth, to have her fingerprints scanned for the first time.

“I’m always worried something will happen to her,” Frost said. “This makes me feel a little safer.”

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