OHIO: Lawmakers to consider autism alert bill for missing children; Kentucky has one
- The end of childhood
- 1 day ago
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May 30, 2025, WLWT, Cincinnati: Ohio lawmakers push for statewide alert system for missing children with autism
A plan designed to help keep kids with autism safe is being launched in Ohio, after the death of a young boy in November.
Joshua Al-Lateef was just one week from his seventh birthday when he wandered into a West Chester pond. The body of the boy with autism was found by divers.
"It’s never going to go away,” said Jonisa Cook, Al-Lateef’s mother, “But I'm trying to do things to prevent it from happening to somebody else.”
Cook has been working to bring attention to the issue and the need for an alert. A petition drive already has about 16,000 signatures.
WLWT was able to connect her with a legislator who has a plan to introduce a bill that would put the idea into law.
“The incident in West Chester, which got my attention significantly, the young child, it ended up they found him in the water,” said Ohio state Rep. Cecil Thomas.
For unknown reasons, children with autism tend to run off and many are attracted to water, which is why time is critical in issuing an alert.
Other alerts, like an Amber Alert, will not be triggered by the same factors.
Thomas plans to introduce a bill that would create a specific alert for when children with autism are missing.
“I get alerts on my cell phone, you know, and that would be an ideal possibility. But overall, the intent is to get a lot more eyes out there, immediately,” Thomas said.
Kentucky is the first state in the nation to have a similar alert.
The “Ian Alert” came from a tragedy when Ian Sousis ran from the Northern Kentucky Children’s Home and drowned in the Ohio River three years ago.
Thomas believes he can get the measure passed before the end of this session which ends June 30.
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