Tragedy struck in Texas when the body of an 8-year-old autistic boy, Ryan Akagbusi, was discovered in a lake after he went missing over the weekend. The search began after an AMBER Alert was triggered when Ryan was last seen around 4:56 a.m. on Saturday, wearing a vibrant pink shirt adorned with an iguana design, as he left his home in Fort Bend County.
Surveillance footage showed Ryan initially walking in his shoes, but later running barefoot around 5:37 a.m. His mother, Admorowa Oladind, recounted finding his shoes abandoned on the roadside as he darted away. “I picked up his shoes, and soon after, the camera caught him running from that spot,” she shared with KHOU.
Search efforts, spearheaded by Texas EquuSearch alongside K-9 units, helicopters, drones, and a dive team, focused on nearby water bodies. Tragically, Ryan’s body was found in a pond at a park in the Lake Mont Bend area, just before 7 a.m. on Sunday.
Fellow community members expressed their grief over the incident. Local resident Porsche Smith remarked, “I’m heartbroken; a child is gone. I woke up thinking about it. We need to surround his mother with love during this tough time.”
Understanding Autism and Drowning Risks
The situation highlights the risks associated with autism, particularly elopement and attraction to water. Dr. Klin, an autism specialist, pointed out that children with autism are often drawn to bodies of water, which can lead to dangerous situations. “Those who elope tend to be at higher risk for accidents, including drowning,” she explained.
Statistics reveal that children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than their peers. Dr. Klin emphasized that individuals with autism often connect better with objects than with people, making it crucial for caregivers to implement preventive measures like pool fences, door alarms, and constant supervision in water-related environments.
Additional safety strategies include using GPS trackers for at-risk children and ensuring proper flotation devices are worn by non-swimmers. In Florida alone, 99 children with autism drowned in 2023, reflecting the ongoing need for vigilance in safeguarding these vulnerable individuals.