HOUSTON — A child with autism died Sunday after being found in a retention pond in the Cypress area, according to a post on social media by Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzelez.
According to Gonzalez, Harris County Precinct 5 deputy constables were called out to Keengans Ledge Lane, which is in a neighborhood near Fry Road and West Road, for a missing 5-year-old.
Shortly after they got there, deputy constables found the child in a retention pond, according to Gonzalez. The child was confirmed dead on the scene.
According to the National Autism Association, children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than the general pediatric population.
More autism, water safety information
- Children with autism will often go straight to water regardless of its temperature or type.
- Even if your child does not seem to like bathtime or swimming at the pool, natural water sources may be perceived differently. These include ponds, lakes, fountains, rivers, canals, even wastewater.
- Use social stories to educate them about water safety, trusted adults, and to never walk away from a trusted adult or enter water alone. You can also use visual schedules to help demonstrate when it’s time for water play or swimming.
- Take every precaution to prevent wandering/elopement. Visit our wandering prevention page for tips and resources.
- Teaching your child how to swim can help lower risk, but does not eliminate risk, so it’s important to stay vigilant.
- If you own a pool, fence your pool and use gates that self-close and self-latch higher than your children’s reach. Remove all toys or items of interest from the pool when not in use.
- Neighbors with pools should be made aware of these safety precautions and your child’s tendency to wander.
- If your child with autism is missing, always search nearby water first.
KHOU 11 reporter Troy Kless is heading to the scene now. We will post updates as we get them.