Chattooga County, Georgia Sheriff Mark Schrader, announces his office is collaborating with the Masonic Lodges of Chattooga County – to offer the Georgia Child Identification Program (GA CHIP).   The program sign up will be available to parents – now through Sunday – at the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair (August 25th, 2024).

The program consists of a kit that is given to parents or guardians of that child.  There’s a swab that is sealed inside a package and then given back to the parent with the child’s DNA.

Neither the Masonic Lodge or the Sheriff’s Office keeps any portion of the kit, but the parents and guardians have it in case it is ever needed.

Sheriff Schrader says the program is important and is a great tool for law enforcement in the event that a child goes missing, adding “our hope and prayers are that no one ever needs this kit”.

For additional information on this Georgia Child Identification Program, contact Ryan Siffles at (706) 266-3129.

(AM1180 Chattooga County Radio)