Kentucky has a specific alert system, called Ian Alerts to help find young people with autism or other mental disabilities who go missing and could be in danger.
Wendy Wheeler-Mullins is a board member of the Autism Society of the Bluegrass and has three children with autism. She said one of the major problems families and caregivers deal with is children with autism wandering off, or elopement.
“Leave the house without telling anyone they're leaving the house, or in a public place, wander away to, whatever it is that they want to look at while their family is doing something completely different. It's actually, it's a very big problem, and it's very dangerous,” she said.
Wheeler-Mullins said 49% of children with autism have attempted to elope at least once after the age of four. She adds that people with autism are four times as likely to wander off as someone who is neurotypical.
A family in Lexington is suing Fayette County Schools after their son climbed out of a classroom window and was later found running alongside New Circle Road last week.
On Saturday, Kentucky State Police announced a 9-year-old girl with autism from Florence was found dead after she was reported missing.
Ian Alerts are named after 9-year-old Ian Souiss, who drowned after wandering away from a children's home in 2022.
Wheeler-Mullins said that, for some reason they can't fully explain, many young people with autism are drawn to water.
“People who had autism are 160 times more likely to drown than people who do not have autism, and that is an incredible statistic. So, it is important to teach adults and children water safety,” she said.
The National Autism Association says drowning is among the leading causes of death of people with autism.
More information about water safety and elopement can be be found here.
Wheeler-Mullins said Ian Alerts help fill the gaps created by Amber Alerts, which require evidence of abduction.
