FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    Tuesday, January 29, 2019

CONTACT:  Tim Bormann (605) 773-3215  

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg and the South Dakota Masons want to remind parents and guardians of the upcoming South Dakota Child Identification Program (SDCHIP) event:

37th Annual Black Hills Sports Show & Expo
Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City, SD
Friday, February 8, 12:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. (MST)
Saturday, February 9, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (MST)
Sunday, February 10, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (MST)

SDCHIP is part of MASONICHIP, an initiative of the Masons of North America that generates completed identification packages of children, for parents or guardians, free of charge.  The types of identification that are collected include: dental impressions, DNA cheek swab, digital still photo, fingerprints and video imaged interview. All of the identifying materials generated by the program are returned to the child’s family to be kept as an identification kit in the event that a child becomes missing. These kits can aid law enforcement in the recovery of a missing child.

“SDCHIP is a comprehensive child identification program designed to assist in the event a child becomes missing,” said Ravnsborg. “The Masons should be commended not only for the creation of this important program, but the time put forth to volunteer and administer the program throughout South Dakota.”

This program is implemented with the assistance of the following agencies: Masonichip International, South Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants, South Dakota Sheriff’s Association, South Dakota Dental Association, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Attorney General’s Office.  For more information please visit www.sd-chip.org.

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