ATLANTA — Thousands of children are missing across the country, including in Georgia. A popular TV show is drawing attention to the issue.
A fictional plot in NBC's new show called "Found" leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. However, the show's message is very real.
11Alive went behind the scenes of the show and spoke with lead actress Shanola Hampton. She said she took the role because of the impact she hopes the show will have.
"The reason why I took this show is because it must have an impact… in what’s happening," Hampton said. "This script was not only good... But it's doing something to serve and, I think, heal the world... Because awareness is the number one thing... We have to be aware."
Hampton plays the role of Gabrielle Mosely, a woman kidnapped as a young girl, now working with a team to find those like her that no one was looking for.
“There are too many girls who are being trafficked. Who are being taken from the sidewalks, from the mall, and they are being classified as being runaways," she said.
While some missing persons cases make the headlines, many others don't.
In metro Atlanta, 14-year-old Aniyah Smith has been missing since Sept. 26. Her mother, Jhanale Harris, told the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that she last saw her daughter at their home that morning.
Another 14-year-old was found safe after she was last seen leaving Archer High School in Lawrenceville, her family said in an update on Nov. 6.
According to an FBI missing and unidentified persons report, 359,094 children under the age of 18 were missing in 2022. Nearly 40% of those missing children were Black, although they only make up about 14% of the youth population, the report stated.
"Families that are... desperately asking for help to find their children and no one is caring…we want to be the show that shows that we care," Hampton added.