An autistic 18-year-old lost in the wilderness for four days was found alive Thursday, weak but apparently fine, and reunited with his family, searchers said. WE THANK GOD!!!!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Autistic Teen Found ALIVE!
An autistic 18-year-old lost in the wilderness for four days was found alive Thursday, weak but apparently fine, and reunited with his family, searchers said. WE THANK GOD!!!!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Severly autistic teen missing while hiking!
Crews combed rugged terrain early Tuesday in the hopes of finding an autistic 18-year-old hiker who wandered away from his parents. For a second night, temperatures dropped to around 40 degrees in the wilderness area where Jacob Allen is believed missing. When he disappeared two days ago, Allen had no food or water with him. He was wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt, wind jacket, wind pants and hiking boots, said Chris Stadelman, the search group's spokesman. Emergency responders and volunteers found his hat Monday, near where he had last been seen Sunday afternoon. Search crews are focusing on 10 square miles of often rugged, steep and brush-covered terrain in the Randolph County section of the Dolly Sods Wilderness area, which is in the Monongahela National Forest. "Some of it is back country where it's so thick you can't see five feet in front of you in the daylight," Stadelman said. About 45 people searched overnight Monday, deliberately lighting campfires to make themselves visible in case Allen was nearby. More than 100 searchers were expected to help in the effort Tuesday, and dogs and helicopters also were being used. Allen wandered ahead Sunday afternoon while hiking with his parents, Jim and Karen Allen of Morgantown. He didn't answer when they called his name, Stadelman said.
While Allen is described as severely autistic by his mother, Stadelman said, he is in good physical shape and likes to hike
Thursday, August 2, 2007
4 year old autistic boy drowns.
July 31, 2007
BRANTFORD (AM900 CHML) - Tragedy near Brantford.
A four-year-old boy has drowned at Willow Lake Park in Brant County..
Police say the Brantford boy was playing with another child on Tuesday morning, when he entered the water and disappeared.
Park staff found the young boy and performed C-P-R until paramedics arrived on scene, but they were unable to resusitate the youngster.
His identity is being withheld until next of kin is notified.
- Ken Mann
BRANTFORD (AM900 CHML) - Tragedy near Brantford.
A four-year-old boy has drowned at Willow Lake Park in Brant County..
Police say the Brantford boy was playing with another child on Tuesday morning, when he entered the water and disappeared.
Park staff found the young boy and performed C-P-R until paramedics arrived on scene, but they were unable to resusitate the youngster.
His identity is being withheld until next of kin is notified.
- Ken Mann
Autistic boy who drowned remembered at funeral.
June 25,2007
NEKOOSA, Wis. - Hundreds of family members, friends and people who helped look for 7-year-old Benjamin "Benjy" Heil remembered him at a funeral.John Wilhorn described his autistic grandson as active, saying he would always grab him by the hand to take him places.Wilhorn said he would miss that hand the most."It brings comfort to the family knowing that he is with the Lord right now," Wilhorn said. "His autism is gone, and that brings comfort."Benjy first was reported missing on June 14. Hundreds of people, dogs and helicopters looked for him until his body was found five days later. Preliminary autopsy results say he apparently drowned in a pond adjacent to Ten Mile Creek less than a quarter mile from his town of Saratoga home.The funeral on Saturday was moved from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Nekoosa to Nekoosa High School to accommodate a large number of mourners.Rev. Carl Kummer, who led the service, said the community-wide effort to find the boy was a "spontaneous explosion of love."Allen Polum and Robert Zarecki, both of the Rudolph Fire Department, helped search for Benjy."I think it's great of all the people that could come out and help," Zarecki said. "It makes you feel good that the community is behind anybody that needs it."Wilhorn said he was glad the family had closure."(Benjy) is in heaven with God now," he said. "That's what brings me joy."
NEKOOSA, Wis. - Hundreds of family members, friends and people who helped look for 7-year-old Benjamin "Benjy" Heil remembered him at a funeral.John Wilhorn described his autistic grandson as active, saying he would always grab him by the hand to take him places.Wilhorn said he would miss that hand the most."It brings comfort to the family knowing that he is with the Lord right now," Wilhorn said. "His autism is gone, and that brings comfort."Benjy first was reported missing on June 14. Hundreds of people, dogs and helicopters looked for him until his body was found five days later. Preliminary autopsy results say he apparently drowned in a pond adjacent to Ten Mile Creek less than a quarter mile from his town of Saratoga home.The funeral on Saturday was moved from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Nekoosa to Nekoosa High School to accommodate a large number of mourners.Rev. Carl Kummer, who led the service, said the community-wide effort to find the boy was a "spontaneous explosion of love."Allen Polum and Robert Zarecki, both of the Rudolph Fire Department, helped search for Benjy."I think it's great of all the people that could come out and help," Zarecki said. "It makes you feel good that the community is behind anybody that needs it."Wilhorn said he was glad the family had closure."(Benjy) is in heaven with God now," he said. "That's what brings me joy."
Mother of drowned autistic boy seeks $5M from Maryland school.
Feb 23, 2007
The mother of a 7-year-old autistic boy who drowned in a public pool near his West Baltimore school last summer is suing the city school board and the day care company the board hired.
Harriet Cox alleges that Lafayette Elementary School officials knew her son, Tyji Chester, had autism, and in response, the school had retained Care Resources Inc. to provide a trained aide to monitor Chester and another child.
Around midday on June 6, Chester wandered off school grounds with some other students and made his way to the Central Rosemont pool a block away, said James L. Rhodes, lawyer for the plaintiff.
"His autism was such that the minute you turned your eye from him, he would bolt and run away," Rhodes said. "He was supposed to have been chaperoned for the entire day. For some odd reason - information we haven't received yet - during the lunch period, no one was watching Chester."
Rhodes did not know if Chester scaled the pool fence, slipped through an opening or received a hoist from the other students. The pool was not yet open for the summer season, and since Chester could not swim, he drowned.
Rhodes said an unidentified woman came to visit Cox at her home days after the incident and said she had been responsible for watching Chester and the other boy until the school had relieved her of that duty days before the incident.
Neither the Office of Legal Counsel, which represents the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, nor Jane Satterfield, named representative for Care Resources, returned calls for comment.
The mother of a 7-year-old autistic boy who drowned in a public pool near his West Baltimore school last summer is suing the city school board and the day care company the board hired.
Harriet Cox alleges that Lafayette Elementary School officials knew her son, Tyji Chester, had autism, and in response, the school had retained Care Resources Inc. to provide a trained aide to monitor Chester and another child.
Around midday on June 6, Chester wandered off school grounds with some other students and made his way to the Central Rosemont pool a block away, said James L. Rhodes, lawyer for the plaintiff.
"His autism was such that the minute you turned your eye from him, he would bolt and run away," Rhodes said. "He was supposed to have been chaperoned for the entire day. For some odd reason - information we haven't received yet - during the lunch period, no one was watching Chester."
Rhodes did not know if Chester scaled the pool fence, slipped through an opening or received a hoist from the other students. The pool was not yet open for the summer season, and since Chester could not swim, he drowned.
Rhodes said an unidentified woman came to visit Cox at her home days after the incident and said she had been responsible for watching Chester and the other boy until the school had relieved her of that duty days before the incident.
Neither the Office of Legal Counsel, which represents the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, nor Jane Satterfield, named representative for Care Resources, returned calls for comment.
ABCs of drowning can prevent tragedies.
There are no do-overs when it comes to drowning. That is the message that Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman conveyed last week during a council meeting where he proclaimed August as Drowning Impact Awareness Month, as did Chandler and other cities across the state. The public is urged to take the message beyond council chambers and into their daily routines in Gilbert, Chandler and Ahwatukee Foothills. Berman said it takes a village to prevent drownings, adding that drowning is an area you cannot "do over." The mayor is right. Each of us - from moms and dads to aunts, grandfathers, siblings, cousins, neighbors and friends - has an important role to play in the statewide effort to prevent drownings. Because the stakes are too high to be negligent around water. Drownings take the lives of innocent people and shatter the lives of family members. Forever. The tragedies also affect classmates. Neighbors. Friends. Drownings often occur in backyard swimming pools, but we mustn't forget that danger also lurks around toilets, bathtubs, buckets and canals. We usually think of children as being victims of drownings, but adults drown, too. And all can be saved when we follow the ABCs - adult supervision, barriers and classes for swimming lessons and CPR - of water safety. Water Watchers at Phoenix Children's Hospital and local fire departments promote the ABCs throughout the monthlong campaign. The public also is encouraged to wear a purple ribbon to raise awareness in others, spreading the message far and wide to prevent drownings and to save lives. Our communities are brimming with families with young children and an abundance of backyard swimming pools. Municipal aquatic centers, such as Mesquite in Gilbert, Hamilton in Chandler and Pecos Park in Ahwatukee Foothills, are popular spots for kids during the summer months. But our warm weather creates an environment conducive to water activities beyond August, and underscores the need to take preventive measures year-round. We can start with simple eye-to-eye contact around water at all times. We can look into the various pool barriers that are available on the market as well as making certain that barriers and gates are in good working condition, and keeping the pool area clear of toys that could attract a child's attention. We also would be wise to take a CPR class and enroll our children in swimming lessons. Together we can save lives. This message cannot be echoed enough.
Reproduced with permission from:The Arizona Republic By Stephanie Paterik ©Copyright 2003 Arizona Republic
Current Stories Index
Reproduced with permission from:The Arizona Republic By Stephanie Paterik ©Copyright 2003 Arizona Republic
Current Stories Index
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Drowning in Surprise. 4 year old autistic boy drowns in backyard pool.
March 2, 2007
A 4-year-old Arizona boy with autism has died after being was pulled from a pool in Surprise Friday afternoon. Searchers found the boy in a neighbor’s pool. Police had been looking for the boy who went missing shortly after noon. According to police the boy wandered away from his home.
A 4-year-old Arizona boy with autism has died after being was pulled from a pool in Surprise Friday afternoon. Searchers found the boy in a neighbor’s pool. Police had been looking for the boy who went missing shortly after noon. According to police the boy wandered away from his home.
The dangers of swimming pools: In memoriam Jaden Fournier, 3 years old.
by Kristina Chew, PhD on June 17th, 2006
On the very morning when we are planning to take Charlie to the town pool for the first swim of summer 2006, a three-year-old autistic boy is reported to have drowned in his backyard swimming pool on Thursday, according to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Jaden Fournier of Henrietta in upstate New York apparently walked off a deck into an above-ground swimming pool. Jaden was non-verbal and loved Elmo.
In Thursday’s case, “the parents had taken measures to restrict the boy’s access to the pool area by placing a number of barriers in the way. But the boy was able to overcome those,” said Cpl. John Helfer, a spokesman for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Summer has yet to start and already three autistic children—Tyji Chester, 7, in Maryland earlier this month and Korey Penwall, 5, in Indiana on May 26th—have drowned. I can barely imagine what Jaden’s mother, Jessica Fournier, is thinking and feeling.
I can understand why a family with an autistic child might have a backyard swimming pool. More than a few autistic children (my son included) love the water and, in summertime, pools are a constant temptation. We take Charlie to a town pool to swim but—it being a public setting, with lots of bodies splashing in the water and rules like “adult swim” for fifteen minutes every hour—-the delight of swimming can sometimes be erased by an upset child who sees the water and must get into it NOW. Some families that we know have a pool in their backyard to help their child, and them, get through long summer days without the structure of school. We know of a family whose son was—-like Charlie—an excellent swimmer, but who drowned in the family pool one morning.
Pools are too much fun; pools are dangerous.
I will be watching Charlie both in the pool and (more unlikely) beside it, and thinking of the Fourniers, and of Jaden.
Dr Chew writes for www.autismvox.com
On the very morning when we are planning to take Charlie to the town pool for the first swim of summer 2006, a three-year-old autistic boy is reported to have drowned in his backyard swimming pool on Thursday, according to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Jaden Fournier of Henrietta in upstate New York apparently walked off a deck into an above-ground swimming pool. Jaden was non-verbal and loved Elmo.
In Thursday’s case, “the parents had taken measures to restrict the boy’s access to the pool area by placing a number of barriers in the way. But the boy was able to overcome those,” said Cpl. John Helfer, a spokesman for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Summer has yet to start and already three autistic children—Tyji Chester, 7, in Maryland earlier this month and Korey Penwall, 5, in Indiana on May 26th—have drowned. I can barely imagine what Jaden’s mother, Jessica Fournier, is thinking and feeling.
I can understand why a family with an autistic child might have a backyard swimming pool. More than a few autistic children (my son included) love the water and, in summertime, pools are a constant temptation. We take Charlie to a town pool to swim but—it being a public setting, with lots of bodies splashing in the water and rules like “adult swim” for fifteen minutes every hour—-the delight of swimming can sometimes be erased by an upset child who sees the water and must get into it NOW. Some families that we know have a pool in their backyard to help their child, and them, get through long summer days without the structure of school. We know of a family whose son was—-like Charlie—an excellent swimmer, but who drowned in the family pool one morning.
Pools are too much fun; pools are dangerous.
I will be watching Charlie both in the pool and (more unlikely) beside it, and thinking of the Fourniers, and of Jaden.
Dr Chew writes for www.autismvox.com
5-yr-old autistic boy drowns in canal.
by Kristina Chew, PhD on November 23rd, 2006
Daryl Gosein, a five-year-old autistic boy from New Jersey, drowned this Thanksgiving afternoon in a canal in Weston, Florida. The boy’s family was in Florida for a wedding; the canal was located a few blocks from a relative’s house in a gated community. Daryl had wanted to use the relatives’ pool and had been told by his mother to stay away. He was last seen playing on a computer. Neighbors found Darryl “barely alive” in the canal, his shirt and shoes on the bank of the canal, as reported by today’s CBS4.com news.
I don’t think I need to say it, but I am feeling beyond sad this Thanksgiving.
Daryl Gosein, a five-year-old autistic boy from New Jersey, drowned this Thanksgiving afternoon in a canal in Weston, Florida. The boy’s family was in Florida for a wedding; the canal was located a few blocks from a relative’s house in a gated community. Daryl had wanted to use the relatives’ pool and had been told by his mother to stay away. He was last seen playing on a computer. Neighbors found Darryl “barely alive” in the canal, his shirt and shoes on the bank of the canal, as reported by today’s CBS4.com news.
I don’t think I need to say it, but I am feeling beyond sad this Thanksgiving.
Autistic boy drowns in pond.
June 19, 2007
SARATOGA, Milwaukee, USA: The body of a missing seven-year-old boy with autism was discovered late on the morning of June 19 in a pond adjacent to Ten Mile Creek, less than a quarter-mile from his Saratoga home, where he disappeared last week, according to the Wood County Sheriff's Department.
A dog team and another searcher found the body of Benjy Heil in the water at about 11 am on June 19 after an intense search by about 300 volunteers. He was near the shore in an area of water about 25 feet deep, according to the authorities.
Over the weekend, more than 600 volunteers had searched for the boy, who disappeared from his family's Saratoga home on the evening of June 14. He had been playing in the basement before his family realised he was gone.
"Everybody's distraught. Everybody's sad. We obviously would have wished for a much better resolution," Wood County sheriff's Lt. David Laude said. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to come through for the family. The effort was incredible, however."Laude said the area where Benjy was found was searched several times in recent days. "At this point, we do not know exactly how long the boy had been right there," he said. "We're not sure whether or not he had been under water for any duration."
(Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, June 19, 2007)
SARATOGA, Milwaukee, USA: The body of a missing seven-year-old boy with autism was discovered late on the morning of June 19 in a pond adjacent to Ten Mile Creek, less than a quarter-mile from his Saratoga home, where he disappeared last week, according to the Wood County Sheriff's Department.
A dog team and another searcher found the body of Benjy Heil in the water at about 11 am on June 19 after an intense search by about 300 volunteers. He was near the shore in an area of water about 25 feet deep, according to the authorities.
Over the weekend, more than 600 volunteers had searched for the boy, who disappeared from his family's Saratoga home on the evening of June 14. He had been playing in the basement before his family realised he was gone.
"Everybody's distraught. Everybody's sad. We obviously would have wished for a much better resolution," Wood County sheriff's Lt. David Laude said. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to come through for the family. The effort was incredible, however."Laude said the area where Benjy was found was searched several times in recent days. "At this point, we do not know exactly how long the boy had been right there," he said. "We're not sure whether or not he had been under water for any duration."
(Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, June 19, 2007)
Autistic Boy Drowns In Backyard Pool.
July 20, 2007
PHOENIX -- For the second time in a week, an austic boy has drowned in Valley waters.
Firefighters said they were called to 3824 Carol Avenue shortly after 1 p.m.
It's not known how long the 12-year-old boy was underwater when he was discovered by a 16-year-old girl.
He was pulled from the pool which was described as green, according to firefighters.
He was pronounced dead at Phoenix Children's Hospital.
On Tuesday afternoon, Jayson Allan, 8, slipped away from caretakers and fell into a canal near 64th Avenue and Indian School Road.
Two witnesses pulled him out and tried CPR, but Allan died at the hospital.
Copyright 2007 by KPHO.com. All rights reserved.
PHOENIX -- For the second time in a week, an austic boy has drowned in Valley waters.
Firefighters said they were called to 3824 Carol Avenue shortly after 1 p.m.
It's not known how long the 12-year-old boy was underwater when he was discovered by a 16-year-old girl.
He was pulled from the pool which was described as green, according to firefighters.
He was pronounced dead at Phoenix Children's Hospital.
On Tuesday afternoon, Jayson Allan, 8, slipped away from caretakers and fell into a canal near 64th Avenue and Indian School Road.
Two witnesses pulled him out and tried CPR, but Allan died at the hospital.
Copyright 2007 by KPHO.com. All rights reserved.
Autistic boy who drowned in canal identified.
Becky Bartkowski and Jordan LaPier
The Arizona Republic Jul. 18, 2007
WEST PHOENIX - Officials Wednesday identified an autistic boy who died after falling into a Phoenix canal. Jayson Allan, 8, fell into a canal near Indian School Road and 67th Avenue on Tuesday after having left his day-care group, according to a statement from Sgt. Joel Tranter, Phoenix police spokesman. A man at a nearby auto-lube store saw Jayson on the west side of the canal bank just before he fell into the canal around 3:35 p.m. The man jumped into the canal and found Jayson submerged in the water, according to Tranter's statement.
Jayson was taken to Maryvale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Jayson was in day care through Quest Alliance School and among a group of children with special needs. Tranter said Jayson, who was autistic, and three children in his group were getting into a van when there was a disturbance with two of the children outside the vehicle. Jayson apparently unbuckled himself from his seat and walked away unnoticed, according to the statement.
The Arizona Republic Jul. 18, 2007
WEST PHOENIX - Officials Wednesday identified an autistic boy who died after falling into a Phoenix canal. Jayson Allan, 8, fell into a canal near Indian School Road and 67th Avenue on Tuesday after having left his day-care group, according to a statement from Sgt. Joel Tranter, Phoenix police spokesman. A man at a nearby auto-lube store saw Jayson on the west side of the canal bank just before he fell into the canal around 3:35 p.m. The man jumped into the canal and found Jayson submerged in the water, according to Tranter's statement.
Jayson was taken to Maryvale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Jayson was in day care through Quest Alliance School and among a group of children with special needs. Tranter said Jayson, who was autistic, and three children in his group were getting into a van when there was a disturbance with two of the children outside the vehicle. Jayson apparently unbuckled himself from his seat and walked away unnoticed, according to the statement.
Quebec: Autistic boy's drowning under investigation.
Friday July 27, 2007
Police are investigating the death of a six-year-old autistic boy who drowned after it took camp authorities two hours to notify lifeguards that he was missing and three hours to get the police involved. Lucas Beaupr was at Lac-St-Joseph, some 30 kilometres outside Quebec City, on Wednesday with about 100 other youngsters from an area day camp. He went missing shortly after his arrival at the beach and it remains unclear how the boy, who was under supervision, was able to go off on his own.
© The Ottawa Citizen 2007
Police are investigating the death of a six-year-old autistic boy who drowned after it took camp authorities two hours to notify lifeguards that he was missing and three hours to get the police involved. Lucas Beaupr was at Lac-St-Joseph, some 30 kilometres outside Quebec City, on Wednesday with about 100 other youngsters from an area day camp. He went missing shortly after his arrival at the beach and it remains unclear how the boy, who was under supervision, was able to go off on his own.
© The Ottawa Citizen 2007
Hello to all families and Caregivers of Autistic Children and Adults!
You have all seen the Michael Wilson story I have on top of this blog. This blog is dedicated to Michael Wilson, the son of a good friend of mine Susan Wilson. Michael's death affected us all. Susan had a nice big raised pool in their yard but it was the ingrown pool their neighbors had that michael loved. Everytime he went there, they always sent him back home. Michael and Susan were savoring the sun on the June afternoon of father's day 1993 when the phone rang. She ran inside to pick it up and came out only to find out that Michael was gone. She could not find him anywhere and as she went to the neighbors pool area, she saw his body floating in the water. Michael had drowned and DIED! I was stunned when I heard on the 6pm news that Sunday and we all rushed there. This happened in Randallstown, Maryland USA. We will never forget a young boy that could have been grown like my son Eni above. This blog is keeping a journal of these mishaps but wants to use it to teach safety with parents and caregivers. It keeps happening. I live in Canada today and another one just happened yesterday!!!!!!!
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