Every parent has felt it: the "ice-water-in-the-veins moment" when they realized they've lost track of their child.

Now, a new device called the Amber Alert GPS not only can keep track of a child but will also alert a caretaker if the child is in potential danger.

Developed by Russell Thornton, of Utah, the tiny wearable transmitter beams out a signal through global positioning and can determine exactly where a child is.

During a Skype interview, Thornton told NEWS9, "Back in 2007, I lost my 3-year-old son. We were at an amusement park in Utah. Fortunately, we found him. He's safe, he's healthy -- but that experience has stuck with me to this day."

The device does more than just track. It also cross-references a child's current location against the Sex Offender Registry.

Within minutes of hooking the transmitter up to Ben Minor -- NEWS9 anchor/managing editor Eric Minor's son -- the computer tracking Ben's location alerted Eric that Ben was near the homes of three registered sex offenders.

"I am astonished by the sheer number of red-flagged addresses," Eric Minor said.

Thornton said, "Unfortunately, that is the response we get nationwide. There are a lot of predators and they come up on the map very frequently."

The portal is password protected, so only a parent or caretaker can follow a child's movement on the Web or on a smartphone. It does have its limits; it will only work where there is both a GPS signal and cellphone reception. In addition, a person must have either a computer or smartphone to receive updates and alerts.

While the device can give parents some peace of mind, it doesn't replace a watchful eye.

"You need to talk to your kids about this. Let them know. Educate them. This is for their safety. If they leave it at home and go out and play, we can't track them. It doesn't work. But if you always put it in your pocket, backpack, on the wrist, leg, arm, then you are going to be able to track them," Thornton said.

The Amber Alert GPS unit costs $199 and there are two yearly service plans. A basic plan costs $9.99 a month and another loaded with safety features costs $19.99 a month.

For more information, visit www.amberalertgps.com.