The heartbreaking story of 4-year-old Waylon Childs, who was found dead a body of water in Ormond Beach on Sunday, has brought renewed attention to a critical issue: The heightened risk of drowning among children with autism.
And on Nov. 13, a drowning claimed the life of 5-year-old Arturo Javier Angarita, who had autism, officials said. Arturo’s body was found after he wandered into a body of water in Osceola County, highlighting the ongoing risks for children with autism. Osceola and Orange counties utilize Project Lifesaver, a program that provides transmitters to children with cognitive disorders, helping emergency responders quickly locate them if they wander. This initiative is part of a larger community effort to prevent drownings and ensure the safety of children near water.
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Experts say children with autism are drawn to water, and their challenges with communication and sensory processing can make these environments especially hazardous.
Counties across Florida are taking steps to address these risks. Here’s what some are doing:
Orange County
Orange County Fire Rescue partnered with the Gunner Martin foundation to provide the community with free door alarm installations to residents who live near a body of water (i.e., pool, lake, pond). These alarms allow parents and guardians to quickly act if their child wanders out of the home.
Seminole County
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission awarded Seminole County with nearly $200,000 to enhance drowning prevention efforts through education, training, and safety equipment. The funds will support initiatives such as free survival swim lessons, pool safety education for first responders, and the distribution of door alarms to protect children from unattended pool access.
Sumter County
As part of the county’s Safe Program, Sumter offers a child safety kit and access to the D.R.E.A.M program, a program to help the safe recovery of people with autism that may wander from home.
Osceola County
The city of St. Cloud has partnered with Osceola County Commissioner Ricky Booth to cover the cost of swim lessons for children.
St. Cloud wants to highlight the importance of swimming lessons as a deterrent to pediatric drowning.
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These efforts, while promising, underscore the importance of continued collaboration between nonprofit organizations and local governments to ensure the safety of vulnerable children.
For Waylon’s family and others affected by such tragedies, these measures offer hope that lives can be saved. As communities mourn, they also work to ensure every child’s safety near water.
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