Othram Launches Project 525 to Identify Missing and Murdered Children

Biotechnology company Othram, founded by Kristen and David Mittelman in 2018 to identify human remains and solve missing persons cases, launched a new program on May 25 to identify missing and murdered children.

According to the website, the project's name commemorates National Missing Children's Day, celebrated annually on May 25.

“It is really important to try to give them back their voice, to offer them a decent funeral. [and] “Giving answers to the families – if the families want them – and also identifying the culprits and delivering justice. That’s the hope of Project 525,” said Kristen Mittelman.

About the project

Kristen Mittelman said that through Project 525, Othram, along with other local, state and federal agencies, including law enforcement and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, hope to identify 525 missing or murdered children within 18 month. The only obstacle slowing the process is funding, she said.

“The funding is not coming in fast enough for us to identify everyone right now. There’s no reason other than funding why these kids can’t be identified faster,” Mittelman said.

Othram secures funding for the project through philanthropy.

“Unfortunately, there is no federal funding for the project. We hope this pilot project will show the government what is possible and that federal funds will be available for these cases. That’s why we’re crowdfunding right now,” Kristen Mittelman said.

Although the company runs its programs through donations from local agencies as well as personal donations, Mittleman said she hopes Othram's pilot studies will show the federal government the need for federal funding.

She said it takes an average of $7,500 to solve each case, and it would take $4 million to reach the goal of solving 525 cases.

Also noteworthy

While the investigation process can be emotionally difficult for families, Mittelman said investigating cases is also challenging for law enforcement. During an investigation, multiple detectives are assigned to each case, she said.

Othram's programs aim to facilitate law enforcement investigations, provide peace to families, prevent perpetrators from committing further crimes, find justice and give families the answers they need to move on with their lives, Mittelman said.

“We bring the truth, and the truth allows these families to turn the page to the next stage of healing,” she said.

To continue its mission, she said Othram plans to work on the 525 juvenile cases posted to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System as a special initiative. With its current funding, Othram has launched 50 missing child investigations as of June 12.

Anyone interested in contributing to Project 525 can donate through their website here or help raise awareness of the program.