The True Story Behind the Amber Alert System

You’ve hopefully heard of the Amber Alert System — but do you know the story of the unsolved case behind the Amber alerts and the little girl who inspired it all?

On January 13th, 1996, 9-year-old Amber Hagerman went on a bike ride with her 5-year-old brother Ricky. Minutes later, Amber was abducted. Almost 25 years later, Amber’s abduction and murder are still unsolved. This is the story of Amber and her family and how the Amber alert has saved hundreds of children.

Who Was Amber Hagerman?

Amber Rene Hagerman was born on November 25, 1986, which means she would be 36 years old today.

Amber was born to her mother Donna Whitson, who was only 19 years old when she had her, and Richard Hagerman, who was in his 30s. Donna felt like Amber was her miracle baby because she had suffered from a medical condition that left her paralyzed at a point in her life — she wasn’t sure she would ever be able to have children. Then 10 years later, Donna would give birth to a son and Amber’s brother, Ricky.

Amber was raised in Arlington, a large town in Texas sandwiched between Dallas and Fort Worth. It was considered a safe, suburban area.