03/24/2026
When a child is abducted, every second matters.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has a unit of dedicated troopers called the Child Abduction Response Team, known as CART. This team is responsible for locating abducted children and assisting other agencies when help is needed most.
CART is not just one unit comprised of troopers. It is a preplanned network of trained professionals from multiple local, state, and federal agencies and disciplines who can be activated immediately when a child abduction is reported.
This team was developed in 2021 to ensure a highly trained, coordinated response when a child is in danger. The faster and more coordinated the response, the better the chances of safely bringing that child home.
Since its inception, the CART team has recovered more than 200 abducted children across Oklahoma.
When activated, CART brings structure and speed to what could otherwise be a chaotic situation.
They respond rapidly, often deploying within minutes to support the agency handling the case.
They coordinate investigations by organizing leads and tips, guiding evidence collection, developing interview strategies, and assisting in suspect tracking.
They plan and execute large scale search operations using ground teams, K9 units, drones, and aviation resources.
They also coordinate public communications and support alerts like Amber Alerts to quickly share critical information with the public.
When the unthinkable happens, CART stands ready with one mission: to find the child and bring them home safely.