An 11-year-old boy who had autism died when he was hit by a sports utility vehicle as he tried to cross the Interstate 10 service road in west Houston Wednesday night.
The collision happened about 7:40 p.m. in the 11300 block of the westbound Katy Freeway service road near Kirkwood, according to the Houston Police Department.
Police identified the child as Desmond Thomas, of Houston. Police said the boy reportedly had autism.
Police said Thomas ran into traffic on the service road and the driver of a Lincoln Navigator that was traveling westbound on the roadway hit him. Thomas was rushed to Texas Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said The SUV driver was unable to avoid hitting Thomas and stopped after the collision. The driver, police said, showed no signs of intoxication or impairment. He was questioned at the scene and released.
The boy has special needs and was in the care of his father when he wandered away as the father was doing laundry, said Estella Olguin, spokeswoman for state Child Protective Services.
"He was being watched," Olguin said, "but he just wandered away. It's tragic."
Olguin said CPS is investigating the case, which is agency protocol whenever a child dies. The agency is also helping the boy's family members with counseling for their grief.
Police were still investigating the case.
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Thursday, October 4, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Jeremiah Conn, Age 5, Wanders and Drowns
Even as the community celebrated that young Scott Myer of Wisconsin was found safely, another family is grieving for a young life lost to autism by drowning. From Wisconsin State Journal:
Stoughton police and firefighters found the body of a missing 5-year-old boy in a rainwater retention pond Tuesday evening.
The body of Jeremiah Conn, of Madison, was found after firefighters drained a retention pond near the Stoughton Fire Department building on East Main Street, Sgt. Rick Helstad of the Stoughton Police Department said.
The boy was reportedly spotted in or near the pond by a 911 caller at around 4:12 p.m., Helstad said. When officers arrived at the pond, though, they couldn't find the boy.
Shortly thereafter, they were flagged down by a person who was looking for a missing autistic boy. They began searching the murky pond and the surrounding area with help from the Stoughton Fire Department, he said.
The boy's shoes were found near the edge of the pond, Helstad said.
While the pond was being searched, almost 100 volunteers joined with police and fire officers to do a block-by-block search of the area, Helstad said.
But ultimately, the boy's body was found at around 7 p.m. after the pond had been "substantially" drained, he said.
Helstad said the boy was autistic, "almost nonverbal" and "was attracted to water." His family had brought him to Stoughton for the Stoughton Junior Fair, he said.
The police chaplain was called out to help comfort the boy's family and the officers, firefighters and volunteers who helped with the search, Helstad said.
There is no fence around the pond where the boy's body was found.
Helstad said the investigation into the incident has been closed and the death ruled an accidental drowning.
The body of Jeremiah Conn, of Madison, was found after firefighters drained a retention pond near the Stoughton Fire Department building on East Main Street, Sgt. Rick Helstad of the Stoughton Police Department said.
The boy was reportedly spotted in or near the pond by a 911 caller at around 4:12 p.m., Helstad said. When officers arrived at the pond, though, they couldn't find the boy.
Shortly thereafter, they were flagged down by a person who was looking for a missing autistic boy. They began searching the murky pond and the surrounding area with help from the Stoughton Fire Department, he said.
The boy's shoes were found near the edge of the pond, Helstad said.
While the pond was being searched, almost 100 volunteers joined with police and fire officers to do a block-by-block search of the area, Helstad said.
But ultimately, the boy's body was found at around 7 p.m. after the pond had been "substantially" drained, he said.
Helstad said the boy was autistic, "almost nonverbal" and "was attracted to water." His family had brought him to Stoughton for the Stoughton Junior Fair, he said.
The police chaplain was called out to help comfort the boy's family and the officers, firefighters and volunteers who helped with the search, Helstad said.
There is no fence around the pond where the boy's body was found.
Helstad said the investigation into the incident has been closed and the death ruled an accidental drowning.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The family of a 5-year-old drowning victim tried many times to teach her the danger of water
BRADENTON, Fla. - A Bradenton family is mourning the loss of a 5-year-old autistic girl who drowned Monday afternoon in the retention pond behind their home.
According to police, the Kesia Kearce slipped out through the home's sliding glass door. Her family never even noticed she was gone.
"First I saw her, then I saw her in the water, then she was gone," said neighbor, Les Shedek.
Shedek jumped in to save her.
"I thought maybe I had her at one point but it was just a big log or something, a branch," he cried.
Brian Byrket, who'd come to the Braden River Lakes subdivision to mow lawns, also dove in.
"It was hard because you want to find her but you don't want to find her at the same time," he explained. "We were hoping for a better outcome but that's what we got."
Norman Kearce admits his daughter loved water. They'd tried many times to teach her its dangers but to no avail.
"They like the feeling of water. In fact, a lot of children with autism may feel more calm in the water. They seem more focused in the water," explained pediatrician Dr. David Berger. "A child with autism may very well run away from the family."
Dr. Berger calls water a constant attraction and threat for all children, even if they don't suffer from autism. He recommends at least two barriers between a child and water, as well as a door alarm system, as well as the Pool Angel Anti-Drowning Alarm.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
4-year-old autistic boy Aiden Bower drowns in Pasco swimming pool
http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=257905
Aiden wandered from his home in Florida.
Holiday, Florida - The family of Aiden Bower is devastated after losing their little four-year-old little boy. The child, who suffered from autism, drowned in a neighbor's pool Sunday night around 9 p.m. in the 4200 block of Sail Drive in Holiday. "It was heartbreaking," said Richard Coulett, who lives next door to where the little boy drowned. Coulett watched and prayed as paramedics and deputies tried to breathe life back into the child. "They started working on him, and they worked for about 30 minutes. My heart was in my throat," said Coulett. Sadly, the child got out of his bedroom somehow after his parents tucked him in around 8pm. When they went back to check on him around 9pm, Aiden was gone. The family called 911 immediately and within minutes, deputies arrived to search the area. They began going house to house looking for the little boy. After 15 minutes, one deputy made a heartbreaking discovery. Aiden's body was found floating in an elderly woman's pool, a place he had never visited. Somehow, his parents say, the child was able to open his window and push the screen to the ground. "The woman was devastated. She said she had never seen the boy, and he had never swam in her pool," said Pasco Sheriff's spokesman Doug Tobin. Aiden was not the type to wander off, his mother and father told deputies. But, he did suffer from autism. "Everyone is devastated in this case," said Tobin. "The parents, I'm told, did everything they could. The one thing they didn't think of that their child would go through the window." The parents say they did everything they could to keep their son safe, including putting latches on doors. The little boy was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, but it was too late. He was pronounced dead just before midnight. It is widely known that children who suffer from autism are said to be drawn to water. Psychiatrists say the only problem with that is the children do not understand the dangers and often can not swim. Aiden Bower would have turned five years old in July.
Aiden wandered from his home in Florida.
Holiday, Florida - The family of Aiden Bower is devastated after losing their little four-year-old little boy. The child, who suffered from autism, drowned in a neighbor's pool Sunday night around 9 p.m. in the 4200 block of Sail Drive in Holiday. "It was heartbreaking," said Richard Coulett, who lives next door to where the little boy drowned. Coulett watched and prayed as paramedics and deputies tried to breathe life back into the child. "They started working on him, and they worked for about 30 minutes. My heart was in my throat," said Coulett. Sadly, the child got out of his bedroom somehow after his parents tucked him in around 8pm. When they went back to check on him around 9pm, Aiden was gone. The family called 911 immediately and within minutes, deputies arrived to search the area. They began going house to house looking for the little boy. After 15 minutes, one deputy made a heartbreaking discovery. Aiden's body was found floating in an elderly woman's pool, a place he had never visited. Somehow, his parents say, the child was able to open his window and push the screen to the ground. "The woman was devastated. She said she had never seen the boy, and he had never swam in her pool," said Pasco Sheriff's spokesman Doug Tobin. Aiden was not the type to wander off, his mother and father told deputies. But, he did suffer from autism. "Everyone is devastated in this case," said Tobin. "The parents, I'm told, did everything they could. The one thing they didn't think of that their child would go through the window." The parents say they did everything they could to keep their son safe, including putting latches on doors. The little boy was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, but it was too late. He was pronounced dead just before midnight. It is widely known that children who suffer from autism are said to be drawn to water. Psychiatrists say the only problem with that is the children do not understand the dangers and often can not swim. Aiden Bower would have turned five years old in July.
Monday, May 14, 2012
WESTBORO — A 4-year-old who was found in the swimming pool at a condominium complex today has died, according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.'s office.
Alexie Lepoer, who had been reported missing shortly before 5 p.m., was found in the murky water of the pool at Park Village West Apartments, 135 E. Main St., shortly after 5:30 p.m., said Timothy Connolly, spokesman for Mr. Early, in a statement late tonight. The boy lived in Apartment R4 at the complex, the statement said.
Resuscitation efforts were made at the scene and the boy was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where he was pronounced dead, the statement said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death, the statement said.
Before the boy was found, Westboro police and firefighters, a dive team and the state police and a search dog were dispatched to look for a missing boy, who was said to have autism and was non-verbal, according to the Westborough Patch. The boy's father had reported him missing at 4:55 p.m., the Patch said. The report said the boy was believed to have gone out a window of a building at the complex.
The boy's diaper and a house phone were found near the pool, according to the Patch.
The pool was fenced in and had not opened for the season, according to Channel 25 news. The TV station said the boy must have walked 300 to 400 feet to get to the pool from his unit.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Hannah Ross, Age 7
***UPDATE SUNDAY, APRIL 29TH, 4:55 P.M.** We have a tragic update to bring you on the story of the missing 7 year old at Fort Gordon. Dive teams discovered the girl's body around 3:15 Sunday afternoon at the lake behind the girl's home. We will have more on this story tonight on WJBF News Channel 6 at 6. _________________________________________________________________ The Augusta Richmond Dive squad is still searching for a missing 7-year-old girl at Fort Gordon. The dive team is looking for Hannah Ross, who investigators say went missing near her home, Saturday evening. The Ross family moved into Fort Gordon from California just last week. A PIO for Fort Gordon says Ross has no shoes on, and was last seen wearing a purple shirt and white shorts. Investigators at Fort Gordon police, the Columbia County Sheriff's office, the Richmond County Sheriff's office, as well as hundreds of volunteers spent Saturday night looking for Ross. K-9 units also assisted with the search. Investigators searched for Ross behind the Lakeview housing area on Fort Gordon. Several hundred volunteers, mostly soldiers, combed the area and searched into the night. A helicopter crew also assisted with search efforts. Ross suffers from autism and was last seen behind her home on Fort Gordon at approximately 6:45 p.m. Saturday evening. Hannah is 4 foot 8 inches tall, 80 pounds. Anyone with any information on Hannah's whereabouts, please contact Fort Gordon authorities at 706-791-9747. WJBF News Channel 6 will have much more on this story tonight at 6, 10 (CW) and 11.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Woman pleads not guilty to murder in death of 4-year-old son
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A Carmel Valley woman accused of drowning her 4-year-old autistic son in their apartment bathtub pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder and assault charges.
Patricia Corby, who faces 25 years to life behind bars if convicted, was ordered held on $10 million bail by San Diego County Superior Court Judge Michael Smyth.
A bail review and status conference is scheduled for Tuesday at the downtown San Diego Courthouse.
Corby, 36, flagged down a patrol sergeant driving out of a parking lot at the precinct house about 9:30 a.m. Saturday and asked for help with her son, Daniel, who was unconscious and not breathing in her car, said San Diego police Lt. Ernie Herbert.
Daniel Corby, who turned 4 last week, was pronounced dead by medics near a San Diego police substation on El Camino Real in Carmel Valley about 30 minutes later.
After questioning Corby, detectives arrested her on suspicion of murdering the child.
An autopsy was conducted, but a cause-of-death ruling was on hold pending completion of further postmortem tests, the medical examiner reported.
Police disclosed no suspected motive for the crime, which occurred in the 4600 block of Torrey Circle in the Torrey Hills area of Carmel Valley. The boy's father was at work at the time of his son's death, Herbert said.
A neighbor said Patricia Corby was a stay-at-home mom who was attentive to the needs of her son, who had some form of autism.
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A Carmel Valley woman accused of drowning her 4-year-old autistic son in their apartment bathtub pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder and assault charges.
Patricia Corby, who faces 25 years to life behind bars if convicted, was ordered held on $10 million bail by San Diego County Superior Court Judge Michael Smyth.
A bail review and status conference is scheduled for Tuesday at the downtown San Diego Courthouse.
Corby, 36, flagged down a patrol sergeant driving out of a parking lot at the precinct house about 9:30 a.m. Saturday and asked for help with her son, Daniel, who was unconscious and not breathing in her car, said San Diego police Lt. Ernie Herbert.
Daniel Corby, who turned 4 last week, was pronounced dead by medics near a San Diego police substation on El Camino Real in Carmel Valley about 30 minutes later.
After questioning Corby, detectives arrested her on suspicion of murdering the child.
An autopsy was conducted, but a cause-of-death ruling was on hold pending completion of further postmortem tests, the medical examiner reported.
Police disclosed no suspected motive for the crime, which occurred in the 4600 block of Torrey Circle in the Torrey Hills area of Carmel Valley. The boy's father was at work at the time of his son's death, Herbert said.
A neighbor said Patricia Corby was a stay-at-home mom who was attentive to the needs of her son, who had some form of autism.
9 Year OId Ariyanna Pivachek: Wandered, Drowned. Autism.
While the world dithers with blue buildings and "experts" fiddle with official numbers and scientists dream of their DNA payday, people with autism are dying:
After a desperate three-hour search by scores of Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies — including about eight divers working multiple ponds at the same time — a missing 9-year-old girl with autism was found in the bottom of a pond behind the home where she attended a party.
Deputies began searching for Ariyanna Pivachek shortly after 3:30 p.m. when a call came in that she walked away from a party at 11159 Golden Silence Drive in Riverview, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesman Larry McKinnon.
The preliminary cause of death at this time appears to be an accidental drowning however a final ruling will be determined by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office, according to McKinnon.
Ariyanna had gone missing about 20 minutes earlier in an area that has several ponds, said McKinnon.
"We had deputies fanning out in ponds, taking their gun belts off to go in," said McKinnon, adding that about 50 deputies in all, including those flying in a helicopter, were involved in the search.
Deputies searched the party house, where there were eight adults and eight children, several times, according to McKinnon.
"We wanted to make sure she wasn't hiding," he said.
After searching the pond about 40 feet behind the home where the party took place for about an hour, Ariyanna was found about 15 feet from the shoreline in about 6 to 8 feet of water.
"There was zero visibility in those ponds," said McKinnon.
Ariyanna was living in a foster home at 309 Greenview Drive, Brandon, according to McKinnon.
The girl was picked up from that home by a family who was considering adopting her, according to McKinnon. The family brought her to the Golden Silence Drive home to attend the party.
A man answering the phone at the Greenview Drive home declined comment.
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