NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Some of the most passionate advocates in helping find missing people, especially children, can be found in social media groups. This has certainly been the case for two recent Middle Tennessee disappearances- Sebastian Rogers, 15, of Sumner County, and Riley Strain, 22, a University of Missouri student who was last seen after walking out of a Broadway bar.
The nonprofit A Voice for the Voiceless is rooted in online advocacy. Whitney Sich, a Florida mom, is at the helm of the network of social media groups aimed at bringing home missing loved ones. Sich founded the organization several years ago, and now coordinates hundreds of Facebook and other social media groups dedicated to helping search for others.
“We were realizing the power of social media and helping identify people,” said Sich. “I’m helping bring home victims who are survivors now.”
Four years ago, Sich found herself in the hospital, recovering from a stroke that left her temporarily paralyzed on the right side of her body.
“I couldn’t walk or talk,” she said.
But Sich could use her phone. She began closely following a case in her community surrounding a young boy who was found wandering alone. His identity and family were not immediately known. Sich began creating awareness by posting flyers online and forwarding tips. Soon, the boy’s family was located in another state.
“Our large crowd-sourcing and efforts helped the family in Georgia find this child,” Sich said.
A Voice for the Voiceless quickly evolved from there. The non-profit has created and moderated 400 missing person social media pages since 2020, drawing hundreds of thousands of followers collectively. Each state has its own Facebook group dedicated to posting missing flyers, pictures and other information. There are also hundreds of additional groups dedicated to specific individuals, like the 71,000 followers in Riley Strain’s Facebook group.
“I talk to a lot of families, countless families, anywhere from one to 10 families almost daily,” she continued.
Sich and volunteers across the country monitor hundreds of posts daily, and just as many tips submitted through those groups. The viable leads are passed along to the family or to law enforcement directly. Followers spend countless hours analyzing cases and developing theories in hopes of potentially tracking down the missing person.
“It could be hundreds (of tips) that are not viable, but there’s just those few in there that might help,” said Sich. “I have my phone beside me 24 hours a day. When my son is in school, I’m canvassing flyers in our community. I’m looking for updates on cases. I’m helping give resources to people.”
Sich works closely with search-and-rescue and investigative experts around the country, like Chloe, a licensed private investigator based in Middle Tennessee. Chloe works pro bono, solely focused on finding people and aiding families through the Tennessee Missing Persons Facebook group. She often collaborates with Sich to help raise awareness and give families added support in the investigation.
“Many families have no idea where to turn, or how to find help beyond law enforcement, when their loved one is missing,” said Chloe. “Our Tennessee missing persons group strives to provide a place for families to find resources for support. Not every family has the means to hire help. It can be very expensive. In my opinion, everyone- no matter their financial situation- deserves the services I provide to aid in bringing their missing person home. “
A Voice for the Voiceless also connects families with other support resources and search groups, like the United Cajun Navy and EquuSearch. Sich said her group is dedicated to creating awareness, and helping families navigate one of the most traumatic experiences possible- a missing loved one.
As for whether A Voice for the Voiceless has made an impact in helping bring missing people home-
“Over half of them have been located alive,” she said, of the people that A Voice for the Voiceless has organized for on social media.
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