Amber Alert Startles L.A. Cell Phone Users

We haven't seen too many of these, so when it's activated, you know its serious. For many folks in L.A., including me, tonight was the first time we noticed an Amber Alert -- and the scary, loud vibrating buzz that comes with it -- on our phones.

Here's why: It's a relatively new service. Details from the Amber Alert website:

As of January 1, 2013, AMBER Alerts will now be automatically sent through the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) program to millions of cell phone users. If you have a WEA-enabled phone, you are automatically enrolled for the three alerts: President, Imminent Threat and AMBER Alerts. The addition of AMBER Alerts to this notification system is a result of a partnership between CTIA and the wireless industry, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Any questions or concerns on the AMBER Alert message received on your phone should be directed to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), who manages the secondary distribution of AMBER Alerts.

Contact: NCMEC, 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).

For more information on the AMBER Alert Program, view the Frequently Asked Questions.

And here's information from San Diego's CBS8 on the Alert:

The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for two children kidnapped from Boulevard. The children are connected to a house fire that broke out Sunday night, where their mother was found dead inside.

Sheriff's deputies are looking for the children, Hannah Anderson, 16, and Ethan Anderson, 8. Their mother, Christina Anderson, of Lakeside, was found dead inside a burning home in an unincorporated part of Boulevard on Sunday night.

Investigators believe the kids were taken by James Lee DiMaggio, 40 who is possibly driving a 2013 blue Nissan Versa with the California license plate 6WCU986.