In a heartbreaking turn of events, the search for a missing 13-year-old boy in Maitland, Florida, came to a tragic conclusion this past weekend. Na’Sean Edward Kirkland, who was reported missing after a walk with his brother on Saturday afternoon, was found deceased in a small body of water near Lake Avenue. His family lived nearby, and the area was familiar to him.
Na’Sean was known to be autistic and non-verbal, with a particular fascination for water, although he wasn’t a strong swimmer. Sadly, he was discovered just before 7 p.m. on Sunday by a volunteer who had joined the search efforts. The Orange County Medical Examiner is set to conduct an autopsy, both to confirm his identity and rule out any foul play. Authorities had been combing through several water bodies, including Lake Sybelia, reflecting the challenges faced when searching for children with autism, who often gravitate toward water.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Jennifer Cicia, an autism specialist at UCF, participated in the search, highlighting the common tendency among autistic children to wander toward water. This pattern is particularly alarming given the statistics—last year, 119 children drowned in Florida, with 27 of those diagnosed with autism. It’s a troubling reality that has prompted new awareness initiatives and training for first responders. In fact, they’re now being trained to search bodies of water as a first step whenever an autistic child goes missing.
In light of these tragedies, new policies are being proposed in various states. For instance, Kentucky’s “Ian Alert” and Ohio’s proposed “Joshua Alert” aim to enhance response protocols for missing children with autism. This comes after the tragic drowning of Joshua Al-Lateef Jr., a 6-year-old with autism, who drowned in a pond late last year. His mother, Jonisa Cook, is now actively advocating for improved safety measures and has even started a petition for the “Joshua Alert,” which has garnered over 15,000 signatures. It’s clear that the community is rallying for change!
Community Action and Awareness
Organizations like the National Autism Association have been instrumental in raising awareness about the risks of drowning among autistic children. They report that the drowning risk for these children is over 160 times greater than that of the general child population. Shockingly, 83% of accidental deaths among missing autistic children are due to drowning, and most victims are boys aged 3 to 8. This alarming data has fueled campaigns like #SearchWaterFirst, emphasizing the critical need for first responders to check nearby water sources immediately.
Moreover, the Autism Society is launching initiatives to prevent water and wandering accidents through proactive programs, outreach, and public policy. They’re working closely with various law enforcement and public safety organizations to provide training and resources aimed at reducing these tragic incidents.
Na’Sean’s family, understandably, is seeking privacy as they navigate this devastating loss. As they mourn, the community is left grappling with the lessons learned and the urgent need for enhanced safety measures for children with autism. Each tragic story, each statistic, underscores the importance of vigilance and the unity of families, advocates, and responders in the fight against these heartbreaking accidents.
For more information on this ongoing issue, visit the sources: MyNews13, USA Today, and Autism Society.