What does an Amber Alert mean? Here’s why N.J. phones buzzed early Thursday

UPDATE: The Amber Alert was canceled and the girl was found safe, authorities said around 7:50 a.m.

The loud siren-like sound that blared from cell phones across New Jersey in the 4 a.m. hour Thursday — an Amber Alert — means a child has been abducted and may be in danger of death or serious bodily injury.

State Police and Vineland police are asking for the public’s help as they try to locate a 7-month old Vineland girl who authorities say was abducted by her father.

Emerie P. Rivera was last seen with her father, Ramon Rivera Jr., 22, in Vineland on Wednesday, according to details released Thursday morning

Rivera is believed to be driving a bronze Acura MDX with New Jersey license plate H79NSN.

Police released an image of Emerie and said she is wearing a pink Mini Mouse sweater and pants.

How did Amber Alerts come into effect?

Amber Alerts, also known as child abduction emergency alerts, are messages distributed by a child abduction alert system and aren’t often deployed.

Officially, AMBER is an acronym for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response,” but it was originally named after Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old from Texas who was murdered after being abducted in 1996.

How do Amber Alerts work

Amber Alerts are distributed by commercial and public radio stations, internet radio, satellite radio, TV stations, text messages and cable TV by the Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radio. Emails, electric traffic signs, commercial billboards and SMS text message alerts are used as well.

Police organizations that investigate child abductions decide if an Amber alert will be declared. The alert typically features the name and description of the abductee, a description of the suspected abductor and a description and license plate number for the abductor’s vehicle if available.

Anyone with information about Emerie should call 911 or contact their local police department. Information may also be emailed to missingp@njsp.org.

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