A Purple Alert was issued July 14 for a missing Tampa woman.
Amber Rhoads, 27, was last seen in Tampa, according to the alert issued by the FDLE’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse.
Here’s how you can help.
Purple Alert issued for missing Tampa woman
A Florida Purple Alert was issued July 14 for Amber Rhoads, 27.
Rhoads was last seen in the 10000 block of Bourbon Court in Tampa.
She may be traveling in a 2020 bronze Kia Sportage with FL tag LBCP18.
Have information on missing woman? Here’s who to contact
Anyone with information about Rhoads can contact FDLE at 1-888-FL-MISSING (1-888-356-4774) or the Tampa Police Department at 813-931-6500 or call 911.
What is a Purple Alert?
A Florida Purple Alert is used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder; an intellectual disability or a developmental disability; a brain injury; other physical, mental or emotional disabilities that are not related to substance abuse; or a combination of any of these.
Their disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm.
Purple Alerts ask for the public’s help in the search for the missing person and provide a standardized and coordinated community response.
Purple Alerts active in Florida
There currently are eight active Purple Alerts in Florida, dating back to June 2022.
For more details on each of the active Purple Alerts.
Sign up to receive Purple Alerts via email
Sign up to receive Florida Purple Alerts directly to your email. You can be notified as soon as an alert is issued to help with the safe recovery of a missing adult.
When did Florida’s Purple Alert Program begin?
Florida’s Purple Alert Plan was established by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 1, 2021.
Criteria for a Purple Alert to be issued
How does a Purple Alert get activated?
If you have a loved one missing you should contact your local law-enforcement agency immediately. The law-enforcement agency will take a report and determine if a Purple Alert is appropriate.
If the agency determines that the case meets the criteria for a Purple Alert, they will contact the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. Only law enforcement can request a Purple Alert.
How can you file a missing person report?
Contact the local law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction where the missing person was last seen.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://heraldtribune.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Purple Alert issued for missing Florida woman. How you can help
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
