(UPDATE, 9:27 a.m.) The GFPD says that Tracen has been found and is safe, and thanked everyone who shared the Facebook post and was vigilant in looking for him.
According to Lt. Doug Otto, Tracen is safe with other family members. Otto said police are still looking for Brandon and do not believe he poses a public safety risk at this time.
No other details have been released; we will update you if we get more information.
(1st REPORT, 9:02 a.m.) The Great Falls Police Department has issued an alert for a missing child, four-year old Tracen Belgarde.
Brandon Belgarde, the child's father, left a downtown motel with Tracen at about 5:50 a.m. on Wednesday. The GFPD has reason to believe that Tracen is likely in danger.
They were last seen on foot at 2nd Avenue North and 13th Street, darting in and out of traffic.
- MISSING: Tracen Belgarde- 4 years old - 3' tall, 50 lbs- Brown eyes, light brown hair- last seen wearing red and black Under Armor shirt and black shorts, no shoes
- SUSPECT: Brandon Belgarde- 24 years old - 6'2" tall, 190 lbs- Brown hair, brown eyes- last seen wearing navy blue and gray basketball shorts turned inside out, no shirt or shoes
The GFPD said in a Facebook post: "If you see Brandon and/or Tracen please keep eyes on them and call 911, do not approach!"
No other details have been released at this point; we will update you as we get more information.
AMBER ALERT: All of the following criteria must be met in order for an AMBER Alert to be issued by the Montana Department of Justice (MT DOJ):
- There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that a child has been abducted or has disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
- The missing child is age 17 years or younger, or has a proven mental or physical disability.
- The law enforcement agency believes the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.
- There is enough descriptive information about the victim and abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child.
- The child’s name and other critical data elements, including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer.
The AMBER Alert system is not used to track runaways, missing children or children involved in custody disputes. The program is restricted to child abduction cases that could be life threatening.
