HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- They grow up so fast. Lena Burdette is looking at the half dozen school photos of her son, John.

With the blink of an eye, John, who's now 12, seems almost all grown up.

"His face has changed and become less babyish and mature like," said Burdette. "As a matter of fact, he's going into 7th grade, growing a mustache and looking more mature."

When a child is missing, seconds count. Now, the West Virginia Department of Education has joined a partnership to create the Ambervision program.

A secure database accessible only by law enforcement will be created from photos taken this fall as students pose for their school pictures. Authorities will be able to download the images within seconds of learning a child is missing.

Liza Corderio is in the communications department of the WV Board of Education.

"We're trying to make sure all parents understand when this information is shared, no one else will have access to it," Corderio said.

If your child is missing, the police will be able to access this information instantaneously, as we know every second counts when a child does go missing.

The Ambervision program will kick off this fall in all West Virginia public schools. Parents will have access to a database that will allow them to change or add pertinent information about their child's appearance.

The U.S. Justice Department says, a child is reported missing every 40 seconds in the United States. Forty percent of those who disappear are killed within the first hour -- about the time it traditionally takes police to get a photo of a missing child.