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<I>Canon4Kids</I> Helps Find Missing Children on 2004 PGA Tour

<I>Canon4Kids</I> Helps Find Missing Children on 2004 PGA Tour

Published 01-06-04

Submitted by Canon U.S.A., Inc.

LAKE SUCCESS, NY - Canon4Kids, which seeks to help locate missing children across America, again will be part of the PGA TOUR in 2004. Created by Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging and a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ), Canon4Kids on the PGA TOUR is a collaborative effort with golfer Briny Baird and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

During all 2004 PGA TOUR events in which he plays, Mr. Baird will repeat his commitment from the 2003 PGA TOUR - to place a digital photo of a local missing child on his golf bag along with the phone number (1-800-THE-LOST) for people to call if they recognize the child or have any valuable information. The children in the Canon4Kids program are selected by NCMEC. Information about the children who will appear on Mr. Baird's golf bag during 2004 can be found at the end of this announcement.

Based on U.S. Department of Justice research, nearly 800,000 children are reported missing annually - more than 2,000 each day. One of six children featured in NCMEC's photo-distribution network is found directly by people who see the photographs and then contact authorities.

An additional component of Canon4Kids is tied to Mr. Baird's performance on the PGA TOUR. For each birdie registered by Mr. Baird, Canon will donate $100 to NCMEC. Each eagle is worth $250 and $1,000 is donated for every hole-in-one. In 2003, Mr. Baird scored 418 birdies and 13 eagles, adding up to $45,050.

The 31-year-old Mr. Baird ranks 22nd on the 2003 PGA TOUR money list and ranks second in the greens-in-regulation-percentage statistical category. His best finish is second place in the 2003 Buick Open and the 2001 John Deere Classic. A colorful figure on the PGA TOUR and the only player who wears an oversized Panama hat, Mr. Baird is the son of Butch Baird, the multiple tournament winner on the PGA TOUR and the Champions Tour.

Canon4Kids creates awareness about child abduction and the need to have updated digital photos of children. Canon4Kids also educates parents on ways to protect children and prevent them from becoming victimized. Among the Canon4Kids initiatives:

  • Raising more than $1 million for NCMEC child recovery programs through the annual Canon Celebrity Golf Challenge. This year's event will be held Saturday, January 10, Tournament Players Club at The Canyons in Las Vegas.

  • Creation of public service advertisements with the photos of missing children for national newspapers and magazines.

  • Donations of digital cameras, scanners and printers to law enforcement to help quickly disseminate photos and information nationwide to locate missing children.

  • Sponsorship of NCMEC's annual Hope Awards Benefit and Congressional Breakfast in Washington, D.C., to commemorate National Missing Children's Day and recognize law enforcement officials and others who have contributed to the recovery of missing children.

  • Distribution of a tip sheet explaining how digital photos can help protect children.

  • The 2004 expansion of the program to include Canon locations and activities across the country.

    Alexandria, Virginia-based NCMEC is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization that works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. NCMEC has access to both the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and National Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (NLETS). Created in 1984, NCMEC has aided law enforcement officials in the search for more than 94,000 missing children. More than 78,000 children have been recovered as a result. For more information about NCMEC, call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678), or visit www.missingkids.com.

    Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and is ranked #39 on the Business Week list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2002, with global revenues of $24.5 billion. Canon U.S.A. employs more than 10,000 people at over 30 locations. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

    ###

    The following missing children will appear on Mr. Baird's golf bag during 2004 PGA TOUR events in which he participates. This information can change at any time, as children are located.

  • Lema Palaita - Sony Open in Hawaii, January 12-18, Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, Hawaii
    Lema was reported missing from Honolulu at the age of 12. He is now 14. His photo is shown age-progressed to 13 years. He may be in the company of his non-custodial father and an adult female. They may have traveled to the Seattle area. Lema's race is white and he is of Samoan descent. He has a mark above his right eye and his nickname is Junior Boy.

  • Liliana Cuevas - Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, January 19-25, PGA West-Palmer Private, Indian Wells, LaQuinta, Bermuda Dunes, LaQuinta, California
    Liliana is 16, and was last seen at home in Soledad, California, on October 23, 2003 at 9 AM. She may be in the company of an adult male. They may still be in the local area or may have traveled to Concord, Fresno, Merced, Pomona, or Walnut Creek, California. Liliana has a small scar on her nose. She may be in need of medical assistance and may use the last name Velasquez. Her nickname is Lili.

  • Zachary Newman - FBR Open, January 26 - February 1, Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona
    Zachary is three years old and was last seen on October 16, 2003, in Mesa, Arizona. He may be in the company of his non-custodial grandmother. They may still be in the local area or they may have traveled to Danville, Kentucky. Zachary has small red bumps on his upper arms and thighs. He may go by the nickname ZJ.

  • Laura Alvarado - AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-AM, February 2 - February 8, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills, Pebble Beach, California
    Laura is 15 and was abducted from Seaside, California, by her non-custodial stepfather, Gonzalo Mena Ortiz. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on March 3, 2003. They are believed to have left the country and traveled to Mexico. Laura has a black mole on her arm. The abductor has a scar on his right arm and a tattoo of a heart with the letters "GYC" on his right shoulder.

  • Jahi Turner - Buick Invitational, February 9 - 15, Torrey Pines Golf Course, San Diego, California
    Jahi was two years old when he was last seen in San Diego with his stepfather on Thursday, April 25, 2002, at approximately 2:30 PM. He had been playing at a park in the 2800 block of Beech Street in Golden Hill. He is now three years old. He was last seen wearing a long-sleeve blue shirt, blue nylon cargo pants and gray sneakers. He has a scar over his left knee.

  • Reya Lunetta, Nissan Open, February 16 - February 22, Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California
    Reya was abducted from Los Angeles at the age of one by her non-custodial mother, Camilla Lunetta. She is now two years old. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on August 1, 2002. Reya has a brown birthmark on the sole of her foot and a red birthmark on the back of her head. The abductor has a tattoo on her right shoulder blade, a birthmark on her left forearm and her front tooth is slightly chipped. She may use the alias last name of Ellefsen and an alias date of birth of 12/2/74.

  • Joceline Quiroz, WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship, February 23 - February 29, La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad, California
    Joceline was five when she was reported missing from San Ysidro, California. She is now eight years old and her photo is shown age-progressed to seven years. She was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Herminia Pech. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on October 16, 2001. They may have traveled to Chumayel, Yucatan Mexico. Jocelyn has chicken pox scars on her forehead and her right cheek. The abductor may use the alias last name of Peraza.

  • Matthew Wood-Rock - Chrysler Classic of Tucson, February 23 - February 29, Omni Tucson National Golf Resort and Spa, Tucson, Arizona
    Matthew's non-custodial mother, Kathleen Mary Rock, abducted him from Phoenix when he was three years old. He is now five. An FBI unlawful flight to avoid prosecution warrant was issued for the abductor on June 21, 2002. They may have traveled out of the state in the company of an adult male. The abductor may use the alias last name Mackey. She has a tattoo on her back and on the left side of her chest.

  • Jarkeius Adside - Ford Championship at Doral, March 1 - 7, Doral Golf Resort and Spa (Blue Course), Miami, Florida
    Jarkeius was abducted by three unknown males during an early morning robbery in Miami on October 18, 2001. He may be in need of medical attention. He was one at the time, and now is three years old. He may respond to the nickname Kisha.

  • Sam Frederick - The Honda Classic, March 8 - 14, Country Club at Mirasol, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
    One-year old Sam, missing from Melbourne, Florida, may be in the company of his non-custodial parents, Lindsey Patton and David Frederick. An FBI Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution warrant was issued for each abductor on January 22, 2003. They may have traveled to California or outside of the country to Mexico.

  • Ronald Simmons - Bay Hill Invitational Presented by MasterCard, March 15 - 21, Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge, Orlando, Florida
    One-year old Ronald, missing from Leesburg, Florida, since February 28, 2003, may be in the company of his non-custodial father and another adult male relative. His nickname is Ronnie.

  • Juan Felipe - The Players Championship, March 22 - 28, Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
    Juan is three years old and has been missing from Live Oak, Florida, since he was one. He may be in the company of his non-custodial mother and father. They may be in the counties of Madison, Suwannee, or Lafayette in Florida.

  • Mani Karami - Bell South Classic, March 29 - April 4, Tournament Players Club at Sugarloaf, Duluth, Georgia
    Ten-year-old Mani was abducted from Cumming, Georgia, by his non-custodial father, Hossein Karami. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on April 9, 2003. They may have left the state and possibly left the country. Mani has a scar on the right side of his face.

  • Jessica Cox - The Masters, April 5 - 11, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
    Jessica is 16 years old, and was abducted from Macon, Georgia, by her non-custodial mother Diane Renee Cox. Jessica may be using the name Cochran. She has a light brown, oval shaped birthmark on the inside of her ankle.

  • Kevin Lamont McClam - MCI Heritage, April 12 - 18, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
    Kevin's photo is shown age-progressed to 18 years and he now is 22 years old. He was last seen playing video games in his home in Goosecreek, South Carolina, during the early morning hours of March 30, 1997. He was 14 at the time and has not been seen or heard from since. His clothing was found at a nearby building site.

  • Scott Almaguer - Shell Houston Open, April 19 - 25, Redstone Golf Club (Jacobsen/Hardy Course), Houston, Texas
    Scott's non-custodial mother, Maria Isabel Ramirez, abducted him from Houston when he was six and he now is nine years old. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on March 28, 2001. They are believed to be in Mexico.

  • Wesley Morgan - HP Classic of New Orleans, April 26 - May 2, English Turn Golf and Country Club, New Orleans, Louisiana
    Wesley was two years old when he was last seen playing on his porch in Clinton, Louisiana on May 15, 2001. He now is four years old

  • Juliana Ali - Wachovia Championship, May 3 - 9, Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina
    Julianna was abducted from Charlotte, North Carolina, by her mother, Claudia Adarme-Naranjo. Juliana was three and now is five years old. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on August 2, 2002. They may be in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina, area or they may have traveled to the Miami, Florida, area.

  • Braeden Wood - EDS Byron Nelson Championship, May 10 - 16, TPC at Four Seasons Resort and Cottonwood Valley, Irving, Texas
    Braeden was born April 10, 2003, and was last seen on November 8, 2003. He now is one year old. His non-custodial father, Charles Wood, abducted him from Grand Prairie, Texas. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on November 11, 2003. They may still be in the local area, or they may have traveled out of the state. Braeden and Charles may be traveling in a tan Lincoln Navigator or a brown Ford Explorer.

  • Chaderia Mitchell - Bank of America Colonial, May 17 - 23, Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas
    Chaderia was one year old when her non-custodial mother, Portia Eujean Mitchell, abducted her from Fort Worth, Texas, in May 2001. She now is four. An FBI unlawful flight to avoid prosecution warrant was issued for the abductor on April 23, 2003. They may have traveled to the Wichita, Kansas, area or the Yazoo City, Mississippi, area.

  • Tabitha Tuders - FedEx St. Jude Classic, May 24 - 30, Tournament Players Club at Southwind, Memphis, Texas
    Tabitha, now 14, was last seen at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, at approximately 7 AM on April 29, 2003. Tabitha has a birthmark on her stomach, a scar on her finger and her ears are pierced.

  • Kristina Nguyen - The Memorial Tournament, May 31 - June 6, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio
    Kristina is four. She was last seen in Cincinnati with her mother, Van Nguyen, on April 18, 2002. They were traveling in a green 1997 Nissan Pathfinder with Ohio license plates ADH7739. Kristina's ears are pierced and her nickname is Hang.

  • Crystal Lora - Buick Classic, June 7 - 13, Westchester Country Club, Harrison, New York
    Crystal is 14 and was last seen at home in Valhalla, New York, on August 23, 2002. She may still be in the area or may be in the Brooklyn, New York area. She has pierced ears.

  • Sabrena Beck - US Open, June 14 - 20, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Southampton, New York
    Sabrena's photo is shown age-progressed to five years. Her non-custodial mother, Yvette Torres, abducted her from Ronkonkoma, New York (Long Island), when she was one. An FBI warrant for international parental kidnapping was issued for the abductor on February 7, 2001. Sabrena has a small birthmark on her neck and may use the name Rena Dawson.

  • Lachlan Duffley - Booz Allen Classic, June 21 - 27, Tournament Players Club at Avenel, Potomac, Maryland
    Lachlan's non-custodial mother, Yukiko Kishida, abducted him from Potomac, Maryland, on June 21, 2001. He was 12 and now is 15 years old. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on August 31, 2001. Lachlan has birthmarks on both right and left temples, a scar on his lower back, and he may or may not wear glasses. Lachlan speaks fluent Japanese.

  • Sabrina Malik - Western Open, June 28 - July 4, Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, Lemont, Illinois
    Sabrina's photo is shown age-progressed to 10 years. Her non-custodial father, Mohammad Rizwan Malik, abducted her from Addison, Illinois, when she was seven. Now she is 12. They are of Pakistani descent. A felony warrant for abduction was issued on July 31, 2000. Sabrina's ears are pierced

  • Annali Pichardo - John Deere Classic, July 5 - 11, Tournament Players Club at Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois
    Annali's non-custodial father, J. Felix Fernando Pichardo, abducted her from Woodstock, Illinois, when she was four. She now is seven. An FBI unlawful flight to avoid prosecution warrant was issued for the abductor on August 17, 2001. Annali has both of her ears pierced and the abductor has his right ear pierced.

  • Raul Ornelas - B. C. Open, July 12 - 18, En-Joie Golf Club, Endicott, New York
    Raul's non-custodial mother, Araceli Barragan, abducted him from Warwick, New York, when he was two years old. He is now five. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on December 12, 2002. They may still be in the Warwick area, or they may have left the country and traveled to Mexico. Raul has a scar on his left foot and a birthmark on his eyebrow. He was last known to be wearing a bracelet with his name on it. Raul's nickname is Gordo.

  • Aubrilynn Myers - Greater Milwaukee Open, July 19 - 25, Brown Deer Park Golf Course, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    Missing from Madison, Wisconsin, since August 17, 2003, Aubrilynn, now nine years old, may be in the company of her non-custodial mother. They also may be traveling in the company of an adult male in a black 2003 Suzuki Aerio with Wisconsin license plates 136FNY. The child is biracial -- black and white. She has a mole on her neck and a small scar under her left eye. She may use the nickname Punny.

  • William Asher - Buick Open, July 26 - August 1, Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, Grand Blanc, Michigan
    Missing from Okemos, Michigan, since August 27, 2002, William now is 13. He may be in the company of his non-custodial parents. They are believed to have left the country and traveled to Mexico.

  • Alexander Talamantes-Bourg - The International, August 2 - 8, Castle Pines Golf Club, Castle Rock, Colorado
    Missing since December 22, 2000, at the age of one, Alexander now is four years old. His photo is shown age-progressed to three years. His non-custodial mother, Nancy Olivia Talamantes, abducted him from Denver and a felony warrant was issued for the abductor on January 2, 2001. They may have left the country and traveled to Mexico.

  • Alexis S. Patterson - PGA Championship, August 9 - 15, Whistling Straits (Straits Course), Kohler, Wisconsin
    Alexis, now nine years old, was last seen on May 3, 2002, when she was dropped off for school. She was wearing a red hooded jacket with gray stripes, a purple shirt, blue jeans and white Nike tennis shoes. She has a scar under her right eye and a bump on her left pinky finger.

  • James Higham - WGC-NEC Invitational, August 16 - 22, Firestone Country Club, Akron, Ohio
    James, now 18 years old, was last seen on January 3, 2002. He is bi-racial - white and Asian. He has a mole on his cheek near his nose and may dye his hair another color.

  • Alexis Miranda - Reno Tahoe Open, August 16 - 22, Montreux Golf and Country Club, Reno, Nevada
    Alexis now is five and was abducted from Reno by his non-custodial father, Israel Miranda, on January 19, 2003. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on March 21, 2003. They may have left the country and traveled to Mexico. They may be traveling in a black 1999 Volkswagen Jetta with Nevada license plates 224PDU, or in purple 1999 Dodge Neon with Nevada license plates 530JUC.

  • Samantha Padilla - Buick Championship, August 23 - 29, Tournament Players Club at River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut
    Samantha now is eight and was abducted on November 6, 2002, from Waterbury, Connecticut, by her non-custodial mother, Melani Corrine Padilla. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on March 13, 2003. Samantha has gaps between her teeth. Her nickname is Sam.

  • Taylor Smith - Deutsche Bank Championship, August 30 - September 6, Tournament Players Club of Boston, Norton, Massachusetts
    Taylor now is six and was abducted from Ludlow, Massachusetts, by her non-custodial mother, Heidi Jean Raleigh. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on April 25, 2003. Taylor has pierced ears.

  • Jeremy DeWalt - Valero Texas Open, September 13 - 19, LaCantera Golf Club, San Antonio, Texas
    Jeremy now is six and was abducted from San Antonio by his non-custodial mother, Suzanne April DeWalt. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on October 26, 2002. They may be driving a 1999 burgundy Suzuki Vitara with Texas license plates F76-WMH.

  • Samuel Signo - Ryder Cup, September 17 - 19, Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course), Detroit, Michigan
    Samuel, now two, was last seen in Warren, Michigan, on October 7, 2002. He may be in the company of his non-custodial mother. They may still be in the local area or they may have traveled to Ohio. Samuel may go by the alias last name Demetro.

  • Kyra Murray - 84 LumberClassic of Pennsylvania, September 20 - 26, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, (Mystic Rock Course), Farmington, Pennsylvania
    Kyra, now seven years old, was abducted from Bedford, Pennsylvania, on August 30, 2000, by her non-custodial mother, Katina Marie Beckett-Diaz. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on March 7, 2001. Kyra has pierced ears and a light scar on her forehead.

  • Rachel Anderson - Southern Farm Bureau Classic, September 27 - October 3, Annandale Golf Club, Madison, Mississippi
    Rachel, now 18 years old, was abducted on April 11, 2000, from Fulton, Mississippi, and is shown aged progressed to 16 years. She and her siblings may be in the company of their non-custodial mother. Rachel has a strawberry birthmark on the left side of her face.

  • Patrina Richardson - Chrysler Classic of Greensboro, October 11 - 17, Forest Oaks Country Club, Greensboro, North Carolina
    Patrina, now six, went missing from Greensboro, North Carolina, on June 18, 2002. The photo on the golf bag was taken in mid-2003. She and her sister may be in the company of their mother. Patrina has a mole on the back of her left ear.

  • Ta'Niyah Leonard - FUNAI Classic at the Walt Disney World Resort, October 18 - 24, Walt Disney World Resort (Magnolia Course, Palm Course), Lake Buena Vista, Florida
    Ta'Niyah was last seen at home in Bartow, Florida, on October 19, 2002. She now is two. She has pierced ears and light birthmark on her right leg. Her nickname is Ny Ny.

  • Ruby Sayre - Chrysler Championship, October 25 - 31, Westin Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), Palm Harbor, Florida
    Ruby, now seven, was abducted from Tampa, Florida, at the age of five by her non-custodial mother, Bianka Teresa Salazar. A Felony Warrant was issued for the abductor on May 28, 2002. They may have traveled to Texas or they may have left the country and traveled to Mexico. They are also believed to be traveling with another small child. The abductor may use the alias names of Teresa Salazar, Bianka Sayre, Teresa Salazar Sayre, Teresa Reamsnyder, or Blanca Nunez.

  • Sabah Nasheed Karriem-Conner - The Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola, November 1 - 7, East Lake Golf Course, Atlanta, Georgia
    Sabah, now 21 years old, left her apartment in Atlanta, Georgia, in July of 2000, to look for a job. She never returned, and has not been seen or heard from since. She may go by the alias of Ameria Davis or Amirea Davis. Sabah has two gold bottom teeth, a cursive tattoo of "Ms. Hollywood" on her right shoulder, and her tongue is pierced.

  • Moira McNamara - Franklin Templeton Shootout, November 12 - 16, Tiburon Golf Course, Naples, Florida
    Moira, missing since March 26, 2002, from Naples, Florida, now is seven and may be in the company of her non-custodial mother. They may have traveled to the Miami, Homestead, Tampa, or Ft. Meyers areas of Florida, or to Haiti. She has a natural part in the front of her hair to the right side and has chicken pox scars on her forehead. Moira's name may be spelled Mora.

  • Miriam Salas - The Skins Game, November 22 - 28, Trology Golf Club at La Quinta, La Quinta, California
    Missing from Montclair, California, since she was two years old, she now is four and may be in the company of her father. They may have traveled to Los Angeles, or to Mexico. Miriam has pierced ears. Her full name is Miriam Ivethe Salas and her nickname is Pooky.

  • Alessa Ruiz - Target World Challenge, December 6 - 12, Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks California
    Abducted from Los Angeles by her non-custodial father, Ulises Adrian Ruiz, when she was four, Alessa is now nine and her photo is shown age-progressed to eight years. A felony warrant for kidnapping was issued for the abductor on September 20, 2000. They may have traveled to Juarez, Mexico.
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    Canon U.S.A., Inc.

    Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is rated #35 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2005, with global revenues of $31.8 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

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