Second Kentucky child in autism spectrum wanders away from home and drowns, second such death in less than 2 months

Another Kentucky child on the autism spectrum wandered away from home and drowned.

The latest incident happened on Tuesday night at approximately 8:20 in Louisville when a six-year-old went missing from the 2300 block of Pike Peak Boulevard, according to WAVE.com. That’s near Iroquois Park.

A search was immediately initiated by the Louisville Metro Police Department, including LMPD’s Air Unit.

While conducting the search, police were informed that the missing child was “possibly autistic,” which resulted in police searching nearby bodies of water, as children in the autism spectrum are drawn to water.

The child was found at approximately 8:50 Tuesday night unresponsive in a swimming pool. The child was transported to Norton Children’s Hospital where the child was pronounced deceased.

In mid-July a Hart County boy diagnosed in the autism spectrum, five-year-old Silas Chearer, went missing from his Cub Run home. He was found deceased 90 minutes after being reported missing. His cause of death was drowning, according to the Hart County Coroner’s office.

According to the Autism Society of Florida: “Water has a captivating allure that attracts people from all walks of life. However, individuals with autism often exhibit a strong fascination and attraction to water that goes beyond what the rest of us may experience.”

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com