In response to the devastating death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, a new nationwide alert system—‘Adrianna Alerts’—has been launched to help rapidly locate missing children across Guyana.
The system, developed by a local tech expert and father, was announced in a heartfelt Facebook post by the developer’s father.

It uses WhatsApp to instantly notify registered users with key details, including the missing child’s photo, last known location, and identifying information. Users near the reported area receive the alert directly, allowing for immediate awareness and public mobilization.
In addition to messaging, the system offers a live map that tracks active missing child cases and allows users to report sightings or file missing child reports.

Organisers hope to reach at least 50,000 participants to ensure broad national coverage and faster response times. “This system is only as strong as the community behind it,” the developer’s father wrote.
Adrianna Younge’s death has sparked both grief and calls for action. She was reported missing on April 23 after going swimming with relatives at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo. Her body was found the next day in the hotel’s pool, prompting a national outcry and protests.

Initial speculation of abduction arose after reports emerged of surveillance footage allegedly showing her entering a car. However, inconsistencies and the revelation that the hotel’s cameras were not operational fueled public distrust and criticism of police response. An internal review has since been launched into the police’s early handling of the case.

A forensic autopsy confirmed that Adrianna died from drowning, with no signs of sexual assault or violence.
In Parliament, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips addressed the tragedy by announcing sweeping changes to missing persons protocols.

The Guyana Police Force has now removed the 24-hour waiting period to respond to missing child reports. Instead, a ‘Red Alert’ will be activated immediately, triggering coordination between police, the Child Care and Protection Agency, hospitals, and other critical institutions.

As Guyana grapples with the aftermath of Adrianna’s death, the launch of Adrianna Alerts stands as a poignant reminder of how communities, driven by loss, can lead transformative change in child protection.