Sandra Cantu’s murder has tragically brought the plight of missing children into the spotlight once again. Although no Amber Alert was issued after Sandra’s disappearance, the Amber Alert is, in many cases, a very important part of the search for the child. The longer a child is missing, the less likely it is he or she will be found alive, and the very first hours after the child’s disappearance are the most important. You can sign up to receive Amber Alerts on your cell phone here. All you have to do is enter your phone number.

You can also view weekly updates of missing children in the U.S. on this interactive CNN map.

Sandra Cantu update: The suitcase in which Sandra’s body was found matched the description of a suitcase that Pastor Lane Lawless’s granddaughter reported missing from the home she shared with Lawless and his wife on the day Sandra disappeared. This explains the search warrants issued for Lawless’s home and the church that he pastored. Lawless’s granddaughter says accidentally left the suitcase on the curb in front of the mobile home that morning while she was transporting items to the church. When she called her grandparents and asked them to bring the suitcase in from the curb, it was gone.