Somerset County Earns National Certification for its Child Abduction Response Team

(For Immediate Release – Somerset County, NJ): Somerset County is proud to announce that its Child Abduction Response Team (CART) has earned national certification, a significant milestone that demonstrates the County’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and responding swiftly and effectively to child abduction and missing child investigations.

To commemorate this achievement, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office hosted a Child Abduction Response Team (CART) Certification Recognition Event on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 10 a.m., at 40 North Bridge Street in Somerville.

Representatives from the AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program, operating through the National Criminal Justice Training Center and the United States Department of Justice, traveled to Somerset County to formally present the CART certification to the Somerset County team in recognition of its successful completion of the rigorous national certification process.

The certification was the culmination of nearly a year of planning, training, evaluation, and interagency collaboration.

“This certification reflects the dedication, preparation, and collaborative spirit of our law enforcement and public safety partners,” said Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson. “Knowing that our county has a highly trained and nationally certified Child Abduction Response Team provides reassurance that every available resource will be mobilized to bring missing children home safely.”

A key component of the certification process occurred in October 2025 when the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office partnered with the Bridgewater Police Department, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Somerset County Office of Emergency Management, Somerset County Search and Rescue, Somerset County Communications, and the Somerset County Park Commission to conduct a large-scale child abduction mock exercise at Duke Island Park.

The comprehensive simulation tested the region’s ability to coordinate resources, communicate effectively, and respond rapidly during a critical missing child investigation. The exercise showcased the exceptional professionalism and teamwork of participating agencies and demonstrated Somerset County’s readiness to respond in the event of a real-life child abduction.

With this achievement, Somerset County joins a select number of agencies in the State of New Jersey to receive CART certification, placing it among an elite group recognized for excellence in child abduction response and investigative preparedness.

The Somerset County Board of Commissioners extends its gratitude to every participating agency and individual whose commitment and teamwork made this accomplishment possible.

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About Somerset County

The County of Somerset is committed to excellence and innovation in public service, promoting the well-being of all residents and communities by providing effective, efficient, and responsive leadership.

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