Join CafeMom Today! Autism Amber Alert: September 2011
AMBER Alerts are distributed via commercial radio stations, satellite radio, television stations, and cable TV by the Emergency Alert System and NOAA Weather Radio for child abductions only! Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder are NOT included in the criteria for issuing an Amber Alert. This really needs to change.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Device locates mentally impaired people who wander away

Device locates mentally impaired people who wander away

LAYTON -- When a person with special needs wanders away or gets lost, it may take hours for them to be found. A new device demonstrated Thursday at the Layton Police Department may shorten that time to just minutes.

Layton Police Department is teaming up with EmFinders to help locate missing persons with autism, Alzheimer's or other dementia.

Police Chief Terry Keefe said his department has responded to many missing special needs cases. The department spent over 425 hours searching for people with Alzheimer's, dementia and autism from June 1, 2010, through July 1, 2011, Keefe stated.

"We have spent hundreds of manhours and lots of resources," he said during a news conference.

"We started looking for technology available to serve that population and something that would save taxpayer's dollars," said Police Lt. Garret Atkin.

During that search, the department found EmFinders, a company that began five years ago

More @ http://www.standard.net/stories/2011/09/29/device-locates-mentally-impaired-people-who-wander-away


Monday, September 26, 2011

Missing KY boy with Autism DOES NOT MEET CRITERIA FOR AMBER ALERT (Randall Chesser)

Ky. State Police Search For Missing Autistic Boy - Louisville News Story - WLKY Louisville

One of the reasons an Amber Alert hasn't been issued is because it doesn't meet that specific criteria. Until we find something or learn something that gives us an indication that's the case, we'll continue to go about it in the way we are," said Gregory.

Read more: http://www.wlky.com/news/29296713/detail.html#ixzz1Z4bjYgfH


Sunday, September 25, 2011

Missing with Autism-Randall Leon Chesser (Willisburg, KY )

Police searching for missing 7-year-old from Willisburg, KY - WAVE 3 News - Louisville, Kentucky

SPRINGFIELD, KY (WAVE) - Kentucky State Police (KSP) are investigating the disappearance of 7-year-old Randall Leon Chesser. He was last seen wearing a light blue hoodie, blue jeans and cowboy boots with spurs. He is a white male, four foot tall, weighing approximately 40 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes. He has a birthmark in the hairline above his forehead and is Autistic.

More @

http://www.wave3.com/story/15544245/police-searching-for-missing-7-year-old-from-willisburg-kentucky

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Updated: Stephen Liu = Found

Updated: Police find missing Toronto teenager | Posted Toronto | National Post

Toronto Police have located a 14-year-old Toronto boy who was the subject of a widespread search Wednesday after he failed to return home from school the day before.

Stephen Liu, who reportedly has autism, had last been seen leaving Zion Heights Junior High School on Leslie St., north of Finch Ave. Tuesday afternoon. His disappearance led police to launch a level 3 search, the highest level of search by Toronto Police. A level 3 search mobilizes officers from a number of stations to help with the effort.

More @ http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/09/21/police-searching-for-missing-toronto-teenager/


Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Missing with Autism: Christian Lee Linden (Hillsboro, Oregon)




Hillsboro police looking for missing autistic teen | OregonLive.com

Police in Hillsboro are looking for a missing male teenager with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.

The teen, Christian Lee Linden, 18, has left his parents’ Hillsboro house on foot Sunday and has not been seen or heard from since.

Linden functions at the level of about a 13 year old and is not considered dangerous, said Hillsboro Police spokesman Michael Rouches. However, it is believed Linden is unable to care for himself properly.

Linden is fixated on mixed martial arts and the family suspects he might be exploring local MMA or similar gyms. He rides public transportation but left home with no money.

More @ http://www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/index.ssf/2011/09/hillsboro_police_looking_for_m.html


Missing with Autism: Stephen Liu (Toronto, Canada)




Missing autistic boy, 14, last seen near school - Toronto - CBC News

Toronto police are seeking the public's help in locating a missing autistic teen last seen near a North York junior high.

A search team with a canine unit has been searching the Leslie and Steeles area for Stephen Liu, 14, who was last seen riding his blue mountain bike shortly after leaving Zion Heights Junior High School around 3 p.m. Tuesday. Police expanded the search citywide on Wednesday morning when Stephen did not show up to school.

The boy is described by police as being a high-functioning autistic.

"He has no history of going missing, and that's what concerns us, is that there is no pattern or previous occurrences," Staff-Sgt. John Babier said.

More @ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/09/21/toronto-missing-autistic-teen.html


Monday, September 19, 2011

Autistic boy, 7, found after extensive overnight search in Goshen | recordonline.com

Autistic boy, 7, found after extensive overnight search in Goshen | recordonline.com

also by

GOSHEN — A 7-year-old autistic boy was found Sunday morning after a search that involved dozens of volunteers, multiple emergency responders and a police helicopter.

The boy, named Logan, was found at about 7 a.m. Sunday near 82 Knoell Road after a dog barking alerted a resident of the child's presence.

Scores of first responders scoured the streets and woods Saturday night into Sunday morning for the missing boy, who ran off from his home at 65 Old Chester Road.

More @ http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110919/NEWS/109190326/-1/SITEMAP


Friday, September 16, 2011

92% of kids with autism have wandered

Missing Autistic Boy: Tracking Technology Helps Find 'Eloping' Kids - ABC News

"If it happens once, it will happen again unless you do something about it," said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, a neurologist specializing in autism at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, of the tendency for kids with autism to bolt or "elope."

In a 2007 survey by the National Autism Association, 92 percent of parents said their children with an autism spectrum disorder had wandered away from safety at least once.

To help recover kids quickly if they do get away, Jim Nalley and Chris Buehler founded Emfinders -- a Frisco, Texas-based company that makes tracking devices integrated with the national emergency services system. Since 2010, the company has sold more than 4,000 devices, called EmSeeQ, and aided 60 recoveries.

More @ http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AutismNews/missing-autistic-boy-tracking-technology-helps-find-eloping/story?id=14517747


Autism, CPS and Wandering | Autism Key

We recently had this same dilemma. Our house is usually a fortress, but moving requires lots of open doors. We even had someone watching my daughter and still almost lost her that day. 10 minutes of freak out later, we found her hiding in a closet. These parents did not have the child tied down, but tethered to something. I am not saying that is a great idea, but I can see how it can happen. I have actually tethered my daughter to ME when staying in a hotel for fear of her wandering. These parents need help, not condemnation and their kid taken away.

Autism, CPS and Wandering | Autism Key

Joshua Robb, an eight year old child with autism has been successfully rescued after running away from his elementary school and being lost in the San Bernardino National Forest for over 24-hours.

“Thank you … you saved me,” were the boy’s first words to rescuers — words made all the more poignant because he rarely speaks and his parents doubted his ability to appreciate his circumstance.

Those parents had lost custody of him to Child Protective Services (CPS) because they had tied him to a chair while they were in the process of moving from their recently foreclosed house. Apparently, they felt it the only way to guarantee that he would not run away in the confusion and chaos of packing and clearing out of their home.

Missing Autistic Child Found In Annandale | wusa9.com

Missing Autistic Child Found In Annandale | wusa9.com

ANNANDALE, Va. (WUSA) -- Fairfax County Police say a missing 12-year-old boy with autism was found early Friday morning.

Police spokesperson Maryanne Jennings says 12-year-old Micah May had been missing since 7:30 p.m. Thursday. He was last seen at his home in the 4600 block of Logsdon in Annandale.

Autistic boy found by a woman walking in the area of Little River Turnpike and Southland Ave. at around 5:20 a.m.

http://wusa9.com/news/article/167312/158/Child-With-Autism-Missing-From-Annandale


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

UPDATE: Missing Child with Autism Joshua Robb FOUND thanks to Prince of F*&^ing Darkness Ozzy Osbourne!!!









The Autism Retort: UPDATE: Missing Child with Autism Joshua Robb FOUND thanks to Prince of F*&^ing Darkness Ozzy Osbourne!!!






It's nice to see a happy ending on these stories every now and then. It's been awhile since one turned out good. Joshua was found thanks to searchers blaring some Ozzy, which is little ironic considering he is "disturbed by loud noises." Thank you, Prince of F*&^ing Darkness Ozzy Osbourne!














Elation greets discovery of missing autistic boy, 8, in forest - latimes.com

Elation greets discovery of missing autistic boy, 8, in forest - latimes.com

First came the footprint. Then a series of them. Then a boy's rain-soaked striped shirt laid out on a log. By Tuesday afternoon, a four-member search team, one of dozens scoping the thickly forested San Bernardino National Forest, had the boy — alive, though tired and hungry.

"Thank you … you saved me," the boy said in a low voice.

Joshua Robb, an autistic 8-year-old who had been missing for more than 24 hours after running away from his elementary school in Twin Peaks, was found in "pretty good shape" in a rugged ravine 1 1/2 miles from the school, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials said. The boy, who "was basically boxed in," said Capt. Tony Nicassio, was airlifted to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition.

"He's drinking water ... eating ... it's elation ... relief," Lt. Rick Ells said. "He seems in pretty good shape."


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

8 year old with Autism, Joshua Robb, missing in woods, had been taken from parents for being tied to a pole

8 year old with Autism, Joshua Robb, missing in woods, had been taken from parents for being tied to a pole

The story in the news today about 8 year old Joshua Robb being missing really hits home for me. Joshua took off running on the school play ground Monday and ran into the woods. He bolted and an no one could catch him before he escaped into the woods.

Aside from the obvious issues that the school has here (it is their responsibility to keep him safe), some other interesting facts have come to light. Joshua had recently been taken from his family and was in the custody of a teacher. The reason he was taken from his parents? They were moving from their house and had tied Joshua to something to keep him from running out while they moved.

It was described as “tied to a pole” by ABC.

More at http://autismparents.net/8-year-old-with-autism-joshua-robb-missing-in-woods-had-been-taken-from-parents-for-being-tied-to-a-pole/

Missing with Autism: Joshua Robb (ARROWHEAD, CA)




Autistic boy missing in Southern California woods - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Searchers planned to press forward through the night in hopes of finding a severely autistic boy who authorities say ran away from his elementary school during morning recess and into a Southern California forest surrounding the school playground.

San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Bachman said 8-year-old Joshua Robb ran out of the gates of Grandview Elementary School's playground in Arrowhead at about 11 a.m. Monday.

Staff gave chase, but the boy ran into the forest and has not been found, Bachman said.



Read more: Autistic boy missing in Southern California woods - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee


Related:
Deputies Search For Missing Autistic Boy

Monday, September 12, 2011

15-Year-Old Boy with Autism Wandered to Boston's Subway System; Rescued via SafetyNet System

15-Year-Old Boy with Autism Wandered to Boston's Subway System; Rescued by MBTA Transit... -- BOSTON, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

First Rescue in Boston Using SafetyNet System

BOSTON, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday morning, a 15-year-old resident of East Boston – who has autism and is enrolled in the SafetyNet Service – wandered away from his school to one of his favorite spots – the subway system – and was rescued within approximately 20 minutes by MBTA Transit Police using the SafetyNet by LoJack System. This is the first rescue in Boston since the service was made available in January 2011.

The Details of the Rescue:

When school officials noticed the boy was missing, they immediately called 911. Boston Police Department dispatch notified its ground units, as well as the MBTA Transit Police Department. Police were alerted that the boy's last known location was North Station and arrived with their SafetyNet tracking equipment. Approximately 20 minutes after arriving at North Station, officers with the MBTA Transit Police began picking up a signal emitting from the missing boy's SafetyNet Bracelet. The signal was coming from Downtown Crossing and was strongest underground. Officers went underground into the subway, boarded a train and were able to locate the boy, who was heading southbound. Using techniques learned in the SafetyNet training sessions, the officers were able to effectively communicate with and approach the boy and ultimately safely remove him from the train. He was rescued unharmed and later brought back to his parent.

"We are proud of our transit police officers' quick response to this emergency situation," said Transit Police Deputy Chief Joseph O'Connor. "With the use of SafetyNet Search and Rescue Receivers, officers were able to reunite the lost child with his family within minutes."

This is the first rescue of a client enrolled in the SafetyNet by LoJack service in the city of Boston.

The SafetyNet service is comprised of a SafetyNet Bracelet worn by a client that emits Radio Frequency signals, which can be tracked by local public safety officials via their SafetyNet Search and Rescue Receivers.

The SafetyNet service is currently available to residents in Boston, as well as many surrounding towns and counties. In an effort to provide valuable protection to individuals at risk of wandering, LoJack SafetyNet™, Inc. is currently providing 1,500 free SafetyNet devices -- along with six months of service -- now through September 30, 2011 to any interested caregivers living in SafetyNet's coverage areas. For more information on SafetyNet by LoJack and the giveaway, please contact (877) 4-FINDTHEM (877-434-6384) or visit www.safetynetbylojack.com.



Thursday, September 8, 2011

*** UPDATE *** Missing with Autism: Kaymania Serenity Catta (Hampton, VA)

Yet another found drowned. Sadly, all too common.

Police search for 6-year-old missing Hampton girl - dailypress.com

9:50 a.m. UPDATE: State Police have confirmed that the body found Thursday morning in a lake off Westview Drive in Hampton is that of Kaymania Serenity Catta, a 6-year-old girl who was reported missing Wednesday afternoon.

The body was found at approximately 7:45 a.m., about two blocks from the girl's home. The body was recovered close to shore in water about 8 feet deep.


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Missing with Autism: Kaymania Serenity Catta (Hampton, VA)



Police search for missing 6-year-old child in Hampton who has autism

Hampton Police are searching for Kaymania Serenity Catta, a 6-year-old girl with autism who went missing earlier tonight. She is unable to speak.

She is from the Triton and North Lake Loop area. Her family is new to the area.

Catta is described as a black female who has medium-light skin. She stands 4-feet tall, slim-build and is approximately 50lbs. She was last seen wearing a black Hello Kitty t-shirt and white and purple striped shorts. Calls came in at approximately 5:45 p.m. about the missing child.

If you have any information, please call Hampton Police at 757-727-6111 or Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

3 Year-Old Boy Who Disappeared Near Bogota Found Dead from Drowning

Latin American Herald Tribune - Three-Year-Old Boy Who Disappeared Near Bogota Found Dead from Drowning

BOGOTA – The body of a 3-year-old autistic boy who had been reported missing was found on the weekend in a creek in the town of Mosquera, near Bogota, authorities reported Sunday.

The police commander of central Cundinamarca province, Col. Fabio Alejandro CastaƱeda, told Efe that the body of Deivi Mateo Algarra was found on Saturday putting an end to 10 days of search efforts.

When the family of the boy reported his disappearance, the initial hypothesis was that he had been kidnapped, but that was soon ruled out and a search operation was launched with more than 100 participants that eventually turned up the body of the child in a stream that flows into the Bogota River, about 500 meters (yards) from his home.

The police commander said that “when the mother of the boy was distracted he began to walk and, since he had problems with autism, he didn’t let anyone touch him, he spoke with nobody, and so he decided to walk until night came and he accidentally fell into the river and drowned.”

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=422455&CategoryId=12393

 
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