Create a statewide missing autistic child alert in North Carolina
La causa
My name is Leon Henderson, and I'm the father of an autistic little boy named August. It took only 10 seconds for him to disappear. His mother looked away briefly, and our son was gone.
For the next 45 minutes, our family, friends, and neighbors searched desperately. We later found him trying to reach a nearby pond. The only reason he didn't make it to the water was that thick overgrowth slowed him down. We were one of the lucky families. Not every family gets that ending.
In North Carolina, autistic children like my son August are at risk, as there is no structured system for rapid response when they go missing. Autistic children are particularly vulnerable due to a condition known as autism elopement, where they may wander away from safety without warning. These situations demand an urgent, coordinated response to ensure their swift and safe recovery.
That's why we're urging the North Carolina General Assembly to implement a statewide Missing Autistic Child Alert. This alert system would:
1. **Provide Rapid Public Notification:** Ensure that when an autistic child is reported missing and meets established criteria, information is disseminated swiftly to the public.
2. **Coordinate Law Enforcement and Emergency Responders:** Facilitate communication and coordination among law enforcement and emergency responders to optimize search operations.
3. **Share Identifying Information Quickly:** Distribute crucial identifying information to increase the likelihood of a safe recovery.
4. **Recognize Autism-Specific Risks:** Acknowledge and address the unique challenges and dangers associated with autism elopement.
Every moment counts when an autistic child is missing. A statewide alert system could mean the difference between life and death for a child like August. With a coordinated effort, law enforcement, emergency responders, and the public can work together to bring these children back to safety.
Please join me in asking the North Carolina General Assembly to act now. Sign the petition to express your support for a Missing Autistic Child Alert system and help protect vulnerable children like my son. Together, we can make North Carolina a safer place for all autistic children and their families.
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La causa
My name is Leon Henderson, and I'm the father of an autistic little boy named August. It took only 10 seconds for him to disappear. His mother looked away briefly, and our son was gone.
For the next 45 minutes, our family, friends, and neighbors searched desperately. We later found him trying to reach a nearby pond. The only reason he didn't make it to the water was that thick overgrowth slowed him down. We were one of the lucky families. Not every family gets that ending.
In North Carolina, autistic children like my son August are at risk, as there is no structured system for rapid response when they go missing. Autistic children are particularly vulnerable due to a condition known as autism elopement, where they may wander away from safety without warning. These situations demand an urgent, coordinated response to ensure their swift and safe recovery.
That's why we're urging the North Carolina General Assembly to implement a statewide Missing Autistic Child Alert. This alert system would:
1. **Provide Rapid Public Notification:** Ensure that when an autistic child is reported missing and meets established criteria, information is disseminated swiftly to the public.
2. **Coordinate Law Enforcement and Emergency Responders:** Facilitate communication and coordination among law enforcement and emergency responders to optimize search operations.
3. **Share Identifying Information Quickly:** Distribute crucial identifying information to increase the likelihood of a safe recovery.
4. **Recognize Autism-Specific Risks:** Acknowledge and address the unique challenges and dangers associated with autism elopement.
Every moment counts when an autistic child is missing. A statewide alert system could mean the difference between life and death for a child like August. With a coordinated effort, law enforcement, emergency responders, and the public can work together to bring these children back to safety.
Please join me in asking the North Carolina General Assembly to act now. Sign the petition to express your support for a Missing Autistic Child Alert system and help protect vulnerable children like my son. Together, we can make North Carolina a safer place for all autistic children and their families.
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Petición creada en 22 de junio de 2026