Child’s tragic death highlights dangers of
wandering in children with autism and underscores water safety concerns.
Detroit, Michigan — A 6-year-old boy with autism
drowned in the Detroit River on Saturday after wandering away from a family
reunion at Belle Isle Park, authorities said, spotlighting the critical risks
surrounding water safety for children with autism.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of July 26
as families gathered at Belle Isle Park, a popular island destination near
downtown Detroit. The boy, who had been playing in a bounce castle with other
children, disappeared from the group shortly after 3 p.m.
Michigan State Police confirmed that family members
noticed the child was missing and immediately began searching the area. Within
minutes, they contacted 911. A coordinated search began, including bystanders
and law enforcement.
Roughly 30 minutes after the boy vanished, a child
and an adult spotted him unresponsive in the water. Emergency responders rushed
to the scene and administered CPR, including use of a defibrillator, before
transporting him to Children’s Hospital. Despite efforts, he was pronounced
dead shortly after arrival.
Police did not release the name of the child,
citing privacy concerns, but stated that the preliminary investigation
indicated no signs of foul play.
In a written statement issued Sunday, Michigan
State Police First Lt. Mike Shaw emphasized the often misunderstood nature of
drownings. “A drowning can happen quickly and quietly and is often not how it
is portrayed on TV,” Shaw said.
He also warned of a concerning rise in
water-related fatalities this year in Michigan, urging all families to take
precautions such as using life jackets and avoiding alcohol around water.
The tragedy is part of a wider pattern involving
children with autism. According to the National Autism Association,
wandering—also known as elopement—is a well-documented behavior in children
with autism spectrum disorder. When these children go missing, water is
frequently the first place they are found.
Statistics from the association reveal that in
2023, drowning accounted for 91% of deaths in children with autism who had
wandered. The remaining cases were mostly due to traffic accidents and
hypothermia.
A 2017 study from Columbia University’s Mailman
School of Public Health found that children with autism are 160 times more
likely to die from drowning than their neurotypical peers. The risk is
especially high among those aged 1 to 4.
The Autism Alliance of Michigan offers a free
program to help families create safety plans tailored to children with autism.
Experts recommend a combination of environmental safeguards and awareness
strategies.
These include enrolling children in swimming
lessons as early as possible, installing barriers around pools, using
self-latching gates, and requiring life jackets when boating. Constant,
undistracted supervision is also vital.
“This is preventable,” said Adam Katchmarchi, CEO
of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, in a prior interview. “Every
family can take steps to make water safer.”
For now, the Detroit community mourns the loss of a
young life cut tragically short, even as advocates renew calls for increased
education and support around autism and water safety.