One of a parent’s worst nightmares is a missing child. Saturday at the Bonita Lakes Mall, the Child Identification Clinic will offer a free finger printing, digital imaging and DNA swab for children, senior citizens and other vulnerable adults from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The program is sponsored by the Meridian Police Department and local merchants.

         Earnest Clardy of Tupelo will be at Bonita Lakes Mall to help run the Child Identification Clinic. He will be joined by several members of his team, along with Meridian Police Department officer Erica Harmon.

          “It’s a great program, and in my opinion, you’re not going to find any better equipment than what we will have Saturday,” Clardy said. “At all of our programs we work with local law enforcement. Meridian is one of our main stops. We also go to Greenville, Starkville, Pontotoc, and Alcorn County to name a few.”

          Parents, or grandparents, can bring the children to the clinic’s setup which will be on the west end of the mall in front of Kay Jewelers.

          Clardy said the key for the identification process is the DNA swab.

          “One of our DNA swabs will be good for at least 80 years,” Clardy said. “We have all electronic equipment. The parent will get four good pictures from all sides and electronic fingerprints.”

          Clardy said the digital imaging will document the child or senior adult’s hair and eye color, scars, birthmarks, optical and dental information, along with other information that could help with identification.

          The child ID software form includes all 10 fingerprints and is saved in a universal PDF format. The parent will receive two printed ID cards, the child ID card, but also a CD with all the information on it. Clardy said his clinic works with the National Chip Foundation and the National Mason Chip in order to keep its highest standards.

          “All of our information we process is strictly confidential,” Clardy said. “We give it back to the parent when we’re done. I would advise parents to keep this information in a little lock box, if they have one. I sincerely hope they never, ever, have to use it, but it’s there if they need it.”

          Clardy said Meridian is one of their top stops. Last year, the clinic drew more than 100 children and senior adults.