A Purple Alert has been issued recently in Florida, signaling that a missing adult with a cognitive disability is currently the focus of a statewide search. This recent activation draws renewed attention to how the alert system works, where it’s expanding, and what it means for families and communities.
Understanding the Purple Alert System
The Purple Alert is a public-notification system specifically designed to help locate missing adults whose intellectual, developmental, or cognitive disabilities make them especially vulnerable. This system fills a gap left by other alert types:
- The AMBER Alert protects children at risk of abduction.
- The Silver Alert often focuses on missing seniors, especially those with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
The Purple Alert targets adults whose disabilities impair their ability to safely return home or recognize danger on their own — for instance, individuals with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, brain injuries, or other cognitive impairments.
Activation occurs only when law enforcement determines:
- the missing individual qualifies under the system’s criteria,
- their disappearance poses a credible risk of harm or impairment, and
- there is enough descriptive information to share publicly (appearance, last known location, etc.).
Once activated, the alert is distributed widely: via media, highway signs (in participating states), digital alert networks, and public notifications, giving community members a chance to help.
States That Use Purple Alerts — And Those Joining Soon
As of late 2025, a small but growing number of states have established official Purple Alert systems. Among them:
- Florida
- Connecticut
- Maryland
- Kansas
- Mississippi
- West Virginia
Some states still rely on broader alert systems (like Silver Alerts) or other categories that may not adequately reflect the heightened risk faced by adults with cognitive or developmental disabilities.
In states that have adopted Purple Alerts, the system provides standardized protocols — including when to issue alerts, how to format public notices, and how to ensure respectful, disability-aware interactions when the missing person is found.
Several states currently considering legislation also may soon add Purple Alerts to their public-safety toolkits.
Recent Activity: Alerts Issued and Systems Rolling Out
Florida — New Active Alert
Florida remains a leading state in issuing Purple Alerts when adults with recognized cognitive disabilities go missing. The recent case underscores how the alert can activate quickly when there is credible concern for safety, and how public involvement becomes critical in the hours immediately following a disappearance.
Connecticut — Latest State to Implement the System
In mid-2025, Connecticut officially launched its Purple Alert program for adults aged 18 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities or other qualifying cognitive impairments. The state added this system to supplement existing Amber and Silver Alerts.
Connecticut’s implementation includes several important features:
- First responders receive training on disability-aware approaches for safe, calm interactions.
- Sensory-aware resources (such as calming tools or sensory items) are deployed when officers may need to approach individuals with autism or other conditions.
- The program links with a registry system for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s — ensuring that law enforcement has access to critical background information.
Since launching, multiple requests for Purple Alerts have already been filed by Connecticut authorities.
West Virginia, Kansas, Mississippi, Maryland — Growing Adoption
West Virginia recently launched its Purple Alert program, joining the cohort of states recognizing the need for specialized alerts for at-risk adults. Kansas passed its Purple Alert legislation in 2024. Mississippi and Maryland also maintain official Purple Alert systems.
The spread of these laws reflects growing nationwide recognition that traditional alert systems do not always meet the unique needs of adults with developmental or cognitive challenges when they go missing.
Why Purple Alerts Matter — The Impact on Vulnerable Adults and Communities
Fills a Critical Safety Gap
Adults with cognitive or developmental disabilities often face heightened risk when separated from caregivers: they may be unable to navigate unfamiliar environments, misunderstand danger, or struggle to communicate effectively. The Purple Alert provides a tool tailored to their specific vulnerabilities.
Without it, missing-person reports for disabled adults often receive delayed public attention — or none at all — reducing chances of a timely recovery.
Mobilizes the Public Quickly
When a Purple Alert is issued, communities become force multipliers. Awareness spreads fast via highway signs, social media, local news, and notification systems. With more eyes on the lookout, chances increase that someone will spot the missing person or gather useful information for law enforcement.
This rapid mobilization can be crucial during the first 24–48 hours after a disappearance — often the most critical window for a safe return.
Ensures Law Enforcement Responds with Sensitivity
Because the system specifically targets adults with disabilities, law enforcement agencies using Purple Alerts tend to adopt protocols designed for respectful, safe, and effective recoveries. These include:
- Specialized training for first responders.
- Use of calming, sensory-aware tools when engaging with individuals who may be easily distressed.
- Clear communication with families or caregivers before issuing alerts.
This context helps avoid misunderstandings or unnecessary alarm when encountering someone with cognitive impairments.
Sets a National Precedent for Vulnerable Adults
While alert systems for children and seniors already exist nationwide, adults with disabilities often lack comparable coverage. The rise of Purple Alerts shows growing recognition of their risk — and a commitment to giving them access to the same level of community support and urgency afforded to other groups.
As more states legislate Purple Alerts, the hope is for broader nationwide adoption, creating a safer and more inclusive missing-person response network.
Challenges and Limitations Still to Confront
Even as Purple Alerts gain ground, certain obstacles remain:
- Patchwork Coverage: Only a handful of states currently have official Purple Alert systems. Adults in other states remain vulnerable when missing-person protocols don’t account for disability-related risks.
- Inconsistent Qualification Criteria: Because each state defines eligibility differently, someone who would warrant a Purple Alert in one state might not qualify in another. That inconsistency can limit the system’s effectiveness across state lines.
- Reliance on Public Awareness: The success of any alert depends heavily on community response. People must recognize what a Purple Alert means and take the time to share or act on it. In many areas, especially where Purple Alerts are new, public familiarity remains low.
- Need for Standardization and Training: As more states adopt purple alert systems, consistent protocols and law-enforcement training will be crucial to avoid confusion or ineffective activations.
What Families and Caregivers Should Know Right Now
If you care for an adult with a cognitive or developmental disability, it helps to be prepared. In case of an emergency, consider keeping the following information handy for law enforcement:
- Recent photographs (multiple angles) and up-to-date physical description
- Any known behaviors, communication challenges, or patterns (wandering, disorientation, difficulty speaking)
- Medical information or diagnoses that might affect judgment or communication
- Last known location or routine schedule (work, school, support services, therapy, etc.)
- Contact information for caregivers or family members
If a loved one goes missing and qualifies under a state’s Purple Alert criteria, sharing this data promptly and fully may help activate an alert quickly — which can make a big difference in how fast public and law-enforcement search efforts begin.
The Broader Picture: A Growing Movement for Inclusion and Safety
The increasing number of states adopting Purple Alerts reflects a broader shift in how missing-person emergencies are handled. By recognizing that vulnerable adults with disabilities deserve the same urgency and community support as children or seniors, policymakers and law enforcement agencies are building a more inclusive safety net.
In states like Connecticut, West Virginia, Kansas, and Florida, the implementation of Purple Alerts comes alongside training for first responders, public-registration programs, and coordinated alert distribution systems. That combination improves the odds of locating missing individuals safely and swiftly.
As word spreads and more states consider legislation, the Purple Alert may well become a standard part of America’s public-safety infrastructure — helping families stay better protected and communities respond more effectively.
Final Thoughts
The recent Purple Alert in Florida — and the growing adoption in states across the country — highlight a crucial lesson: adults with cognitive or developmental disabilities often need specialized support when they go missing. Purple Alerts offer a way to bring communities and law enforcement together quickly, giving vulnerable individuals a better chance of being found safely.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this system, staying informed and prepared matters.
Let us know what you think — and help spread the word when a Purple Alert is issued.