💔 A Call for Change: Protecting Our Children from Preventable Tragedies

We are mourning alongside our community. On Friday, June 13th, 7-year-old Mar’Dasia Forte, a sweet and curious girl, wandered from her West Chester home and tragically drowned in an unfenced retention pond. Her heartbreaking story mirrors that of Joshua Al-Lateef Jr., another autistic child who lost his life in a similar way just months earlier.

These are not freak accidents.
These are preventable tragedies.

Why This Matters So Deeply

For children with autism, the world is experienced in deeply sensory and sometimes overwhelming ways. Many are naturally drawn to water, and wandering (also known as elopement) is common, especially during moments of stress, curiosity, or dysregulation.

• More than one third of children with autism who wander/elope are never or rarely able to communicate their name, address, or phone number.

• Drowning is the leading cause of death for autistic children under age 14.

• Retention ponds, while designed for drainage, are often located dangerously close to homes, parks, and schools, and rarely fenced.

These are not just statistics. They are warning signs. And we cannot continue to ignore them.

Leading the Way with Advocacy

EmPath for Autism’s Board President, Leslie Williams, is actively working to change this. She’s leading an effort to pass life-saving legislation that would require fencing around high-risk retention ponds, specifically those near child-centered areas like neighborhoods, schools, and playgrounds.

This isn’t about overregulation. It’s about prevention.

As Leslie told WLWT News:

“If it saves one child’s life, it’s worth it.”

We believe it will save many.

How You Can Help Right Now

🔷 Sign the Petition
Add your voice in support of proposed legislation:
🖊️ Sign Here

🔷 Contact Local Officials
Let your representatives know that this issue matters. Reach out to:

• @WestChesterTownship

• @LibertyTownship

• @ButlerCountyOhio

• Governor @MikeDeWine

🔷 Spread the Word
Share this blog. Talk with your neighbors. Raise awareness at schools, churches, and community events.

Water Safety & Autism Resources

• National Autism Association – Big Red Safety Box
  Free kits for families of children at risk of wandering.

• Swim Safely with Autism – Autism Speaks
  Autism-specific water safety tips and swim lesson guidelines.

• JagTag V2 Initiative – EmPath for Autism
  Wearable tracking technology launching soon for individuals prone to wandering.

• Butler County DD Services
  Support for individuals and families with developmental disabilities.

• Lakota YMCA Autism Swim Program – Launching July
  4–6 week program for kids ages 3–12 focusing on water safety, survival skills, and confidence. Includes small class sizes, caregiver involvement, and child watch services. Intake required.

In Loving Memory

We will never forget Mar’Dasia or Joshua.
Their lives mattered. Their stories will not fade. And their legacies will live on in every secured pond, every trained caregiver, and every life that is saved through prevention.

💙 Let’s turn heartbreak into action. Together, we can build a world where autistic children are seen, supported, and safe.

📺 Watch the WLWT Story

— With purpose and deep care,
The EmPath for Autism Team