Lacking Autistic Boy Discovered Lifeless in County Park
Six-year-old Autistic Boy Disappears at Montgomery County Park
Six-year-old Fawzan Hassan and his household arrived at a Montgomery County park Saturday afternoon for a group occasion. The three-foot-tall teen, who’s nonverbal, autistic and likes to climb, hit the playground.
Hopes Dashed as Physique of Lacking Boy is Found
“His household regarded to the playground,” an assistant police chief stated, “and now not noticed him there.”
A day later, after frantic looking out by cops, firefighters, volunteers and members of the family, the worst end result arrived at 5:25 p.m. Sunday. The physique of a kid surfaced on a close-by pond. Police quickly confirmed the loss of life and stated it was Fawzan.
Ache and Help for the Grieving Household
“Our hearts exit to the household,” stated Shiera Goff, a Montgomery County Police spokeswoman, talking Sunday night after police had led a 26-hour search of the world. “All of us had been hoping for a unique end result.”
Lt. Kristina Hedgepeth stated watching kids is all the time tough, and solely extra so when kids have particular wants. “It’s a troublesome factor to say to anybody on this state of affairs,” Hedgepeth stated, “however I simply know as a dad or mum myself, your head’s bought to be on a swivel. It’s a must to always be watching. And it’s even tougher when you have got a toddler with particular wants.”
Decided Search Effort with a Tragic Ending
Greater than 100 cops, firefighters and volunteers had spent greater than a day looking out in and round Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. Officers who referred to as a information convention earlier Sunday struck a assured tone. “We’re dedicated to finding Fawzan and finding him security,” Montgomery County Assistant Police Chief Nicholas Augustine stated Sunday, interesting for assist from the general public because the search was prolonged outward from the park.
Challenges in Discovering a Lacking Autistic Baby
“He could possibly be hunkered down and simply scared,” stated Montgomery County police officer Laurie Reyes, who focuses on working with households of autistic kids and serving to discover them once they go lacking. Fawzan, who weighed 42 kilos, had final been final seen sporting a inexperienced shirt, blue denims, and white and silver sneakers. Bohrer Park is bordered by neighborhoods on the southwest and southeast sides; by Frederick Avenue on the northeast aspect; and by Gaithersburg Excessive Faculty on the northwest aspect.
Group Efforts and Security Measures
Police had urged residents within the space to diligently search their property, together with below porches and decks, and inside unlocked vehicles and sheds. Officers warned individuals to not method the kid as a result of he would possibly run away however to as a substitute name 911. Individuals with autism who go lacking usually are drawn to our bodies of water, Reyes stated. The Montgomery County Hearth and Rescue Service searched ponds within the space on Saturday and Sunday, stated Pete Piringer, an company spokesman. Officers with the Montgomery County Police Division, Gaithersburg Police Division, Maryland State Police and Maryland-Nationwide Capital Park Police had helped within the search, officers stated. Drones with infrared sensing know-how had been flown over the world into the evening.
Ideas and Enchantment for Help
Police inspired residents to print out a flier from the division’s social media pages and cling it up within the Gaithersburg space. These driving within the space had been requested to name the police in the event that they noticed a younger youngster sitting alone at a bus cease.
Montgomery police supply this recommendation when approaching nonverbal autistic kids:
You will need to method them calmly and slowly; keep away from making sudden actions or loud noises which may startle them. Communicate in a mild, reassuring tone, even when the kid doesn’t reply verbally. Nonverbal autistic kids won’t reply to their title, so attempt to use different cues, reminiscent of visible alerts or acquainted objects, to get their consideration. Most significantly, police stated, make sure the youngster’s security and look forward to legislation enforcement to reach.
Assets for Help
Recommendation to maintain weak individuals from wandering is offered from the Montgomery Police Division’s Autism/Mental and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Alzheimer’s and Dementia Outreach Unit.
