ACTION ALERTS!
CURRENT:
March 15, 2013: Autistic child in O’Fallon, MO found in CAGE. Two and a half year investigation ends up with parents chaged with felony. They are NOT in jail as of this post. Please see here for more. Please send inquiries and support for the child to the reporter, Vera Culley at vsh2314@gmail.com. Or O’Fallon, MO police department: 100 N Main St, O’Fallon, MO 63366. (636) 240-3200. You may also send support and questions to the St. Charles County Children’s division:
Deitra Logsdon, Circuit Manager
3737 Harry S Truman Blvd, Suite 100
St Charles MO 63301
Phone: (636) 940-3170
Fax: (636) 940-3186
Here is the information for the prosecuting attorney: 300 N 2nd St # 601 St Charles, MO 63301 Phone: 636-949-7355
From the article:
According to the prosecutor’s office, on December 15, 2010, O’Fallon Police and Missouri Social Services officials went to the home on Half Moon Drive after an anonymous tip was called into the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect hotline. When officers arrived, they found a six-year-old autistic child in a cage. The boy was reportedly naked and sitting in urine and feces. The child was being kept in a 3-foot wide by 3-foot tall make-shift cage that was held together with zip ties, tension straps and bungee cords.
Thanks for sharing such a nice idea, paragraph is fastidious, thats why i
have read it completely
Caregivers who abuse vulnerable adults with autism or other developmental disabilities are the lowest of low. They need to go to jail for a long time.
Hello! I’ve been reading your website for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Iowa. Just wanted to tell you keep up the excellent job!
Yes autistic people are often targets of sick people who prey on vulnerable people. Worse, they sometimes blame parents when their autistic children is abused, as if the person with autism is less than human and somehow just being autistic is a reason you can abuse them! How screwed up is our world? Caregivers caught on tape punching, kicking and poking eye of severely autsitic man deny all charges also take a new twist by blaming mom of autistic child, for being a “high maintence mom” who demands high standard of care for her autistic son, as if that justifies caregivers abusing him! Just horrific. I guess it’s open season on autistic people. See channel 8 san diego news: December 27, 2012
http://news.yahoo.com/video/caregivers-autistic-man-accused-abuse-030100404.html
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September 19th, 2012 crime alert: “Local family catches caretakers’ abuse of autistic son on camera” seen on channel 8 san diego news Sept 19th 2012. Just horrific! Why is there such a rise in abuse of autistic people? What does this say about the soul beat of our society? http://www.cbs8.com/story/19589835/local-family-catches-caretakers-abuse-on-camera.
VALLEY CENTER — Video surveillance showing a 23-year-old Valley Center man with autism being beaten hundreds of times over a three-week period by two caregivers led sheriff’s deputies to arrest one man Wednesday night. An arrest warrant has been issued for the other caregiver.
The Sheriff’s Department learned of the suspected abuse on Aug. 29, Sgt. Mark Varnau said. The victim is nonverbal and severely autistic.
His family alleged that two hired caregivers were captured on video abusing the victim in August, Varnau said. The family had installed a video surveillance system in the man’s bedroom just prior to the assaults being discovered, he said.
The two caregivers were employed by the family for more than two years.
It’s not known how long the victim was abused, Varnau said. Because of his autism, he had no ability to communicate to others what was happening, the sergeant said.
Detectives reviewed more than 2,000 video recordings before obtaining arrest warrants for Michael Dale Garritson, 50, of Valley Center, and Matthew Alexander McDuffie, 27, of San Diego.
McDuffie was arrested Wednesday night by detectives from the sheriff’s fugitive apprehension unit.
Garritson has not been apprehended, and sheriff’s officials asked for the public’s help in locating him. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477
TY for the update Tom.
ACTION ALERT: Missing teen with Autism from Los Angeles, CA.
“Armahn Parrish was last seen Monday around 1 p.m. with his mother at a Big Lots shopping center in the 600 block of South Hill Street, Los Angeles police said.” Click here for more info: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/publics-help-sought-in-finding-missing-autistic-teen/#.UBrfCHugzwI.twitter
CALL Police at: (323) 846-6576 if you have seen this young man! Wherever you are, you can pass along the photo of this young man and spread the word so people can keep their eyes open in case he is in another area of the state or another part of the US by now!
ACTION ALERT! Missing Child in Missouri. Knox County.
Link with picture: http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=735235#.T3J7wtUSDKf
Six year old Christin R. Baucom was last seen at 12:50 p.m. Tuesday at his residence in Colony, Mo. The Missouri State Highway Patrol describes Baucom as a white male and autistic.
He will not answer if his name is called. Baucom weighs 50 pounds and has blond hair and blue eyes. He is wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans. He is not wearing any shoes.
If you have any information, contact the nearest law enforcement agency or call the Highway Patrol – Troop B at (660) 385-2132.
UPDATE: Six year old found in pond. http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?list=~\news\lists\recent&id=736112#.T3UbttUSDKc
CRITICAL MISSING ALERT! Nonverbal autistic boy from Hanover, VA. 9 years old, ran away from his family and has not been seen since. Please click link for photos and more information. Pass around as much as possible even if you are not in VA. This little boy could be anywhere and he needs our help. One more reason to PLEASE set up Project Lifesaver International programs in all communities we possible can. http://pleasehelpmissingchildren.posterous.com/robert-robbie-wood-jr-9-critical-missing-hano
NIXA Missouri- Action Alert! 2 missing teens. Need your help. No Amber Alert issued. Pass far and wide! Link with pictures here: http://www.news-leader.com/article/20111011/NEWS01/111011028/Nixa-police-looking-two-missing-teens
UPDATE: FOUND! SEVEN YEAR OLD Randall Leon Chesser is on the autism spectrum. He is missing from his Kentucky home since last Saturday evening. Please link here (http://www.wave3.com/story/15544245/police-searching-for-missing-7-year-old-from-willisburg-kentucky) for more information. Please pass the information along far and wide to any and all advocates and community members. The family reports they are afraid he may have been kidnapped and that they do not believe he would leave the yard with an unfamiliar person. Please pass the image on the home page around to all social networks.
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“MIDDLETOWN – Police are seeking the public’s help in finding a 17-year-old city boy who left his home Thursday morning to go fishing and hasn’t been seen since.
Nathan Carman, who has Aspergers Syndrome, police said, left on his black mountain bike around 7 a.m. to go to Westbrook, which is approximately 30 miles away.” From the Middletown Press, Middletown ,CT.
More info here.
ACTION ALERT! Missing man with autism from Norfolk, VA.
By Lauren King
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 12, 2011
NORFOLK
Police are asking for the public’s help to find a 29-year-old man with autism who went missing about midnight on Sunday.
Robert “Bob” Charles Smith is 5 feet 8, 180 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing brown and tan checkered shorts or red Hawaiian-print swim trunks, gray and green suede Airwalk shoes and carrying a large, black backpack.
Smith was last seen in the 100 block of Howe St.
Anyone with information is asked to call Norfolk police at (757) 441-5610
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From ASAN- the Autistic Self Advocacy Network:
ACTION ALERT:
Tell Your Senator to Vote NO on
S. 1094, the Combating Autism Act
Re-Authorization Act
As Congress continues its budget negotiations, it seems that almost every disability program is at risk of cuts or program changes – every program, that is, except for the autism research agenda. Right on the heels of a new report from the federal Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee finding that only 3% of autism research funding is going to improving services for individuals and families and less than 1% is going to adult needs, Congress is set to extend the combating Autism Act with no program changes for three more years. No one doubts the importance of autism research – but at a time of cuts in services to Medicaid, Housing Vouchers and countless other critical disability programs, should disability services really be that low a priority?
Advocates wishing to force through this three-year extension of the status quo say that failing to do so will result in the expiration of needed programs – but we know this to be a false choice. Congress can extend valuable CAA programs while addressing the bias against services in the autism research agenda or authorize a shorter term extension to keep this issue on the agenda. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) is scheduled to mark up S. 1094, the Combating Autism Act Re-Authorization Act, next week on July 20th. It is time to tell Congress that we demand better than the status quo. Funding mouse models and gene studies at the expense of services and research with a practical impact on the lives of individuals and families is wrong. Call the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, tell them your state and ask to speak with your Senator’s Legislative Assistant for Health and Disability issues. Tell them to oppose S. 1094 unless changes are made to increase the percentage of research funding going to improving services.
Remember, call your Senator today at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to vote NO on S. 1094 as currently written. Your advocacy is needed today!
Sad end to search for missing child with special needs.
AURORA, IN (FOX19) -
It’s a tragic ending for a 7-year-old boy who went missing on Sunday afternoon.
Officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources found the body of John Burton Jr., 7, in North Hogan Creek on Monday morning just after 9 a.m.
Police say Burton was playing with his dog Sunday afternoon in area of Park Avenue in Aurora near a creek. The dog returned to the boy’s home at 451 Park Avenue and was wet, but the boy was not with the pet.
http://www.fox19.com/story/14889713/7-year-old-boy-with-autism-missing-in-aurora
Friends, please let this be a reminder that Project Lifesaver is a cost effective, non-profit, reliable system that can be incorporated into your community. Please connect with us if you would like more information. Chief Saunders, the founder of PLI has a law enforcement background and will help your local first responders in getting this program running. Let’s learn from these tragedies and hope that no more loved ones need to be lost.
Self Advocates and ALL Advocates need to get informed about the Combating Autism Act.
See here for more information on what it is and why we should oppose it for all autistic people or people who love and care about autistic people.
THANKS to all who shared awareness! This young man was found by law enforcement.
The link below has been updated with more info.
ACTION ALERT BREAKING: St. Louis teen with developmental disability missing. South St. Louis area.
http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Police-search-for-teen–122205224.html
17 year old Nicholas Lovette went missing around 2:30p.m. near his home in the 7800 block of Costa Place after his school bus dropped him off. Lovette is African American, last seen wearing a green uniform-type shirt that had the words “Nottingham School” printed on the front and orange backpack.
ADVOCATE ALERT:
Parents, Advocates, and all concerned,
If your school district or a school district you know of is engaging in the practice of having separate schedules for special education students, contact us immediately.
This is a violation of the students’ rights and a violation of law.
For more information, contact us at info@internationalautismcoalition.org
Unless an individual student’s IEP team has all agreed to a different schedule as appropriate for said student, students with disabilities should not be subject to the discrimination of a separate schedule.
ICAA does not give legal advice. We do present important information and encourage all people, with all abilities and their guardians, to be aware of their rights and to defend such rights appropriately and as necessary.
UPDATE on missing 23 year old Autistic man in Saco. Reported missing this past Sunday morning.
Found Sunday night about 30 miles from home. Hungry, cold and tired but apparently safe and unharmed. He is believed to have wandered off, following railroad tracks, as this is one of his habits.
Aside from being autistic being one of the main safety concerns for this young man, is that he also depends on vision and hearing aids and had neither with him when he left his home.
Thank you ICAA advocates and friends who had shared and spread this news.
http://www.wgme.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wgme_vid_7772.shtml
ST. LOUIS
Please help find 4 year old who wandered off and is now missing!
http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/article_8b22fd28-fa00-558d-a8bf-37d7daf0c7cd.html
How you can help:
Read the article in the link.
Spread the link, and the info to anyone and everyone you can.
Call local law enforcement, and Missing children organizations and see how you can further help. Make sure you call on local churches, neighbors, and schools if you are in the area.
JASPER, ALABAMA
http://www.myfoxal.com/Global/story.asp?S=14287026
Police seek help gathering information about the recent torching of a special needs playground. Call: 205-221-6790
Callers CAN remain anonymous.
If you want to help in efforts to rebuild, e-mail ICAA at: info@internationalautismcoalition.org
Please put “Jasper Playground” in the subject line.
Thanks, and let’s get this playground rebuilt better than before!
We have this important message from THE ARC OF ILLINOIS:
At this very moment, discussions are underway about the elimination of disability services.
It is vital that you make your calls today!
Secretary Saddler is planning a meeting of advocates for later this week. We believe the topic for that meeting will be further DD budget cuts for this fiscal year. That means the Governor’s Off…ice is firming up details for cuts that may start as early as April 1st. Possible cuts are outlined in the table below. (my note: I could get this to format right, so I put the table in a document and attached it.) This is the same information I shared a week ago.
We need you to generate as many calls as possible to the Governor’s office TODAY. The message is very simple: NO CUTS TO DISABILITY SERVICES!
Make your calls today! Here are the telephone numbers for the Governor’s office in both Chicago and Springfield.
Chicago: 312-814-2121
Springfield: 217-782-6830
http://www.newser.com/story/113913/new-hampshire-lawmaker-martin-harty-send-mentally-ill-to-siberia.html
Rep. Martin Harty has stated that he wishes America had its own Siberia to ship off the defective people. When he said “Defective” he explained that he meant mentally and physically handicapped people.
All advocates need to call, write or fax Mr. Harty’s office and say “shame on you” for his ignorance. If each one of us calls once and tells at least one other person to do so, we can send a clear message and make an example do that future leaders will know not to mess with our community. No need to be abusive when you call. Simply saying “shame on you” or telling him why he was/is wrong about people with differences will suffice.
The main thing is for advocates in NUMBERS to call and write.
Here is how to contact him: http://www.congress.org/bio/id/24992&lvl=L&chamber=H
UPDATE: News reports that Mr. Harty has resigned. Let’s keep watch on who takes his place and make sure they do not make bigoted statements like that.
Here is a petition recently brought out by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. The concern is that people who are on the Autism Spectrum with manifestations that include wandering, will be targeted under the measures put forth by the CDC for a new “diagnosis” called “wandering”.
From the article: “The day before the meeting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted for the first time information on the codes under consideration – including a new medical diagnosis for “wandering” related behavior in children and adults on the autism spectrum and with other developmental disabilities. If approved, this new coding promises to label hundreds of thousands of children with “wandering” diagnoses that would make it easier for school districts and residential facilities to justify restraint and seclusion in the name of treatment.”
The petition is located here: http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-the-cdc-no-on-abuse-enabling-wandering-code#?opt_new=t
ALERT: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/nyregion/13homes.html?_r=2
“A New York Times investigation over the past year has found widespread problems in the more than 2,000 state-run homes. In hundreds of cases reviewed by The Times, employees who sexually abused, beat or taunted residents were rarely fired, even after repeated offenses, and in many cases, were simply transferred to other group homes run by the state.”
Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/nyregion/13homes.html?_r=2
This is an e-mail from the Arc of Missouri and some providers.
Your Legislators Need Your Input ASAP
Take Action!
Share your story of how waiting for developmental disability services is affecting your family
Advocates,
The Time is now to contact your legislator about how waiting for services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities is affecting your family. The legislature is in the process of deciding the 2012 budget and it is imperative that you share your story. Without your valuable input they are unable to make wise and informed decisions.
The Department of Mental Health has requested an additional $10 million in caseload growth funds which would allow for approximately 1300 people to be served and taken off the wait list. You could be one of these families to receive services. However, this may not happen if your legislator does not know that it is important to you, their constituent.
To help your family and all families in Missouri who are waiting for services, it is vital that you contact your legislators. To do this you may complete the following guided communication form to make the process as easy as possible. The system will find your legislator automatically when you enter your address and send the email message you create directly to them.
For more facts about the waiting list you may visit our website at http://www.arcofmissouri.org
Thank you for your continued advocacy efforts. Together we will put an end to the wait list for people with developmental disabilities in Missouri!
Sincerely,
Angela Gourley
Parent/Executive Director
The Arc of Missouri
(573) 552-6748
angela@arcofmissouri.org
ALERT MARCH 7, 2011…ongoing need…..
SHOE BOX CARE PACKAGES for ‘The Lost One’
Young man with Autism in institution. He has been left behind. No family care, or support.
Non-perishable food items (slim jims, beef jerky, sweet tarts, gum, fruit roll ups, cheez-its, pretzels, etc), snack goods, canned goods, variety of Kool Aid packets, self care items such as small travel sized deodorant, maybe small comic books, comfy socks ( general men’s size), rubber bracelets, anything else you can think of as a nice treat that will travel well in the mail and will fit in shoe boxes.
Please address the packages to
“The Lost One”
C /O Melissa Barton
PO Box 1414
Hobe Sound, FL 33475
Melissa has volunteered to coordinate this effort and knows personally a person working in the institution who will get these items to this young man.
Please spread the word and get some support, encouragement and hope to this friend.
He is one of us. Let’s help!
Information, updates, questions: please contact ICAA info@internationalautismcoalition.org
We will post updates and as much info as possible as we get it. We cannot disclose the name and exact age of the person, but he will be very happy to get mail and care packages like his other peers in the home.
Thanks!
http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/orange_news/021011-disabled-pitcher-cut-from-high-school-baseball-team?CMP=201102_emailshare
Help 16 year old Anthony Burruto stay on his baseball team as pitcher! He throws an over 80 mph fastball, folks! He is being told now that he cannot play due to his prosthetic legs. What gives?
See the link above and contact us for more information. Please reach out and spread word for Anthony and his family.
ACT NOW for Education:
E-mail Senator Tom Harkin at this address: ESEAcomments@harkin.senate.gov
Let him know your thoughts on education, and how you would improve NCLB.
There are talks to reform No Child Left Behind. Some people in the Autism and disabilities, special education community like the NCLB Act and some people have ideas on what needs to be changed and what does not. Please have your voice heard. Senator Harkin’s office has been receptive to ICAA communications before. Please make sure you reach out. Senator Harkin was instrumental in getting the ADA enacted, and though we know not all advocates are 100% satisifed with ADA as it stands, it was monumental legislation that was needed for a long time. Let’s work with people like Senator Harkin and make things better! Please remain respectful when communicating. A firm yet gentle conversation will help us see changes. Thanks to all advocates!
http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?S=13987221
Kayla Burgess FOUND SAFE in Kentucky! Thanks for everyone looking out.
Please see the other action alerts that are still active on this page and let us know if you hear any new developments. Thanks everyone!
Action Alert Feb. 8th, 2011
Please see the link that follows. Autistic young woman missing from Paducah, Kentucky!
Police say Kayla Burgess was last seen around 2:30p.m. Monday at Lourdes Hospital. She is about Five feet tall and weighs about 87 pounds. Family reported her missing around 6:45 PM. As of 8 AM this morning (Tuesday Feb. 8th).
Call 911 or Paducah police at 270-444-8550 if you have information or believe you have seen Kayla. Please keep alert and pass the information along far and wide! Your help can save a life.
http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?S=13987221
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Action Alert:
Baltimore City Police seek public help in solving murder of Autistic man.
Hezikah Wilson ,38 was shot dead while walking his dog in his own front yard in the 5600 Block of Plymouth Road early this month. Hezikah was diagnosed Autistic.
Anyone with any information, please call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-Lockup.
Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for up to a $2,000 reward.
Please see the link: http://www.theautismnews.com/2011/01/21/crime-checker-help-police-solve-murder-of-autistic-man/
http://www.courant.com/community/windham/hc-willimantic-missing-man-0120-20110119,0,4163085.story
There is another Action Alert. Please see the link above. Ryan Cornell is a man living with a traumatic brain injury and went missing from the Cafemantic Restaurant on Tuesday around 3:45 PM in Willmantic, CT.
What you can do to help: Please pass the information far and wide and if you are in that area or one of the surrounding areas, keep your eyes peeled.
http://www.care2.com/causes/education/blog/16-year-old-autisric-teenager-kidnapped-robbed-assaulted/
Please take a few seconds and read the above link.
A 16 year old who is on the Autism Spectrum was kidnapped, robbed and violently assaulted. The story was reported in the January 14th St. Paul Pioneer Press. The incident occurred on December 23rd.
All advocates may contact:
John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney (Minnesota) 651-266-3222 or RCA@co.ramsey.mn.us
When calling, e-mailing or writing to the County Attorney, state your name and where you are from. Let him know you are an Autism Advocate and that you are keeping an eye on the case. Let him know that you are concerned about fair and swift justice for the victim.
Any advocates in the area are encouraged to attend any public hearings or events regarding this case and organize peacefully.
Concerned citizens and advocates can also contact the author of the story in the St. Paul Pioneer Press and see if there is a way to help the boy and his family.
Please contact us at info@internationalautismcoalition.org if you need assistance.
It takes five minutes or less to make a major difference in the lives of those who need our help and support. Thank you in advance for helping!