Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader says that his office is collaborating with the Masonic Lodges of Chattooga County to offer the Georgia Child Identification Program, (GA CHIP).  The program will be available to parents now through Sunday at the Chattooga County Agricultural Fair.

The program consists of a kit that is given to parents or guardians of the child.  There is a swab that is sealed inside a package and given back to the parent with the child’s DNA. Neither the Masonic Lodges or the sheriff’s office keeps any portion of the kit, but the parents and guardians have it in case it is ever needed.

Sheriff Schrader says the program is important and is a great tool for law enforcement in the event that a child goes missing.  Sheriff Schrader says, “Our hope and prayers are that no one ever needs this kit”.

Local Masonic Lodges will be on hand at the fair introducing the program along with the sheriff’s office.

For more information about the Georgia Child Identification Program, contact Ryan Siffles at 706-266-3129.