On June 4, 2022, my beloved grandson Ian Sousis tragically lost his life at just 9 years old. Ian had been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) level 1 and had a tendency to elope from safe environments since the age of 3. His attraction to water proved fatal that day when he drowned in the Ohio River.

This petition is deeply personal to me because I witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of not having an effective alert system in place for individuals like Ian. It is my heartfelt plea that we create an "Ian Alert" in honor of my grandson and all those who have suffered similar fates due to elopement and their love for water.

Elopement, or wandering behavior, is alarmingly common among individuals with ASD and other diagnoses. According to a study published by Pediatrics journal in 2012, nearly half of children with autism wander away from safe environments at some point during their childhood. This puts them at significant risk for accidents, injuries, or even death.

In Kentucky alone, there have been numerous cases where individuals with ASD or other diagnoses have gone missing and tragically lost their lives due to drowning incidents. The lack of awareness within our communities about these vulnerable individuals exacerbates the risks they face.

By implementing an "Ian Alert," we can bridge this knowledge gap and potentially save lives. Similar to Amber Alerts for missing children or Silver Alerts for missing elderly persons, an "Ian Alert" would provide immediate notification to law enforcement agencies and local communities when someone diagnosed with ASD or related conditions goes missing.

The effectiveness of such alert systems has been proven time and again in safeguarding vulnerable populations across various states. By promptly disseminating crucial information about the individual's diagnosis along with physical descriptions through media channels including radio broadcasts, social media, and mobile alerts, we can mobilize communities to aid in the search efforts.

The success of Amber Alerts is a testament to the power of community engagement. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, since its inception in 1996, Amber Alerts have helped recover over 1,000 missing children nationwide. We believe that an "Ian Alert" could achieve similar results by harnessing the collective strength of our communities.

In memory of Ian Sousis and all those who have tragically lost their lives due to elopement incidents involving water attractions, I implore you to sign this petition. Let us come together as a community and demand that Kentucky implement an "Ian Alert" system that will save lives by providing timely information about missing individuals with ASD or related diagnoses.

Together, we can ensure that no more families experience the heartbreak caused by preventable tragedies like Ian's. Let us honor his memory by taking action today.

Thank you for your support.
#SaveLivesWithIanAlert