Disappearances of children between the ages of 0 and 12 increased by 26% in 2025

BarcelonaIn 2025, the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police force) registered 3,682 cases of missing persons in Catalonia, an average of about 10 disappearances every day. "This figure highlights the importance of having a comprehensive response and providing support to families," the police force stated, emphasizing that 98% of cases are resolved successfully. The Mossos released the figures this Monday, coinciding with the Day of Missing Persons Without Apparent Cause. The data is similar to that of previous years, although the increase in disappearances of young people, especially minors, and the elderly has been surprising in the last 12 months. Only 2% of cases remain unsolved. The vast majority, according to the force, are voluntary disappearances. More than half are resolved within three days of the report being filed, and two out of three missing persons are located before the end of the first week. Although the problem affects thousands of families every year, disappearances only represent 0.6% of all reports received by the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police).

More missing children

Although the overall figure remains relatively stable, 2025 was notable for the increase in disappearances among young children. Marta Ventas, head of the Missing Persons Families Unit, explained to the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that last year there was a 26.3% increase in disappearances among children aged 0 to 12 (96 cases) and a 3.3% increase (867 cases) among teenagers. Ventas attributed these increases to greater prevention efforts, resulting in a higher number of reports, and also to an increase in "runaways from juvenile detention centers" and running away from home. According to Ventas, these incidents are considered "high-risk" because the victims are "especially vulnerable," particularly at very young ages. "In the wake of the pandemic, an increase in mental health issues has been detected among young people," which has also generated "a greater risk of voluntary disappearances." This includes people diagnosed with severe depression or psychotic disorders, as well as cases with undiagnosed symptoms, which increases the vulnerability of adolescents. "They are extremely vulnerable, and we must act very quickly," Ventas emphasized, adding that mental health episodes or crises in people with these conditions hinder the investigation. Regarding older people, the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) also registered 299 missing persons reports (a 6.4% increase) for individuals over 65. These are "mainly men with cognitive impairment who become disoriented and end up getting lost after leaving their home or care facility." Memory loss and physical frailty amplify the risk, especially when these individuals live alone, as the lack of a close support network can delay alerting the police. The reason for the disappearances

The Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) emphasize that, in most cases, disappearances are not criminal in origin. However, they confirm that the Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) took on two cases of violent death and concealment of a body last year. Since 2010, this unit has investigated 27 homicides in which the victim's body disappeared. 72% of the cases (20 disappearances) turned out to be femicides. Five others were related to organized crime involving drug trafficking. Territorially, the metropolitan area accounts for the highest number of incidents, with 2,369 cases across Barcelona (750), the northern metropolitan region (652), and the southern metropolitan region (967). The Mossos' Family Support Office handled 203 new cases, corresponding to 213 families, and managed 817 calls. Most inquiries concerned the status of the investigation, guidance in decision-making, and legal advice. Eighty-seven in-person interviews were also conducted, and the team participated in two mountain research projects with families.

Reporting quickly is key to solving the case

The Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police) emphasize that it is not necessary to wait 24 hours to report a disappearance and that doing so sooner speeds up the activation of investigation protocols. Ventas asserts that the myth persists that one should wait, and has urged the public to contact the police immediately. "The first few hours are vital," the corporal pointed out, reminding everyone that families, neighbors, friends, or acquaintances can go directly to any police station and file a report. Despite representing only 0.62% of all reports processed by the Mossos, Ventas stressed that disappearances have a "great emotional impact" on families and are a priority for the force: "When a missing person report is filed, we quickly take action to locate the person," she stated.