10-Year Old Autistic Boy Found Dead in Creek

An autistic boy has been found dead in a rural creek after wandering away from a care facility in North Carolina, reports the Charlotte Observer. The 10-year old was reportedly missing about 90 minutes, and was found a five-minute walk from RHA Howell Care Center along the Mecklenburg-Cabarrus county line.

Facility staff, police and firefighters had been looking for him. Rescuers attempted to revive the boy and rushed him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead some hours later.

The boy, who was not identified, has been described as fun-loving, active and inquisitive. He had lived and attended school in the 120-bed facility off Albemarle Road since July.

This story brings to light the seriousness of the autism epidemic, and serves as a reminder for researchers to work to get to the bottom of the problem, and to make sure proper care is provided to those affected by it.

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