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Amber Alerts in Wilmington

WILMINGTON -- A recent case is bringing up an important point: when should a missing child turn into an amber alert?

Earlier this week, an amber alert that led to a massive two day search for a 3-year-old boy turned out to be a hoax.

Siraj Davenport's mother told authorities the young boy disappeared while she was loading her car at a flea market Sunday morning.  But, it turns out he was never really missing.

Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous said there are guidelines that have to be met to request and amber alert to be issued, but it really comes down to trust.

"We would hope that a parent or a child giver would not lie to us, but they do on occasion. So we have to balance all that. It's a balancing act," said Chief Evangelous.

Chief Evangelous said they must take all reports seriously.

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