Some Ontarians Want To Have Unique Amber Alerts After Missing Child With Autism Was Found Dead
There are some petitions calling for a change to the OPP's AMBER alert program.
Thousands of Ontarians are signing petitions to create designated amber alerts for kids with autism and other vulnerable children following the death of Draven Graham earlier this week.
On Monday, June 13, 11-year-old Graham was found dead in the Scugog River in Lindsay, Ontario, about 24 hours after he was reported missing by local authorities.
Before Ontario Provincial Police's underwater search and recovery team discovered Graham's body, Kawartha Lakes police plead with locals to help find him and told residents he had a "sensory irritation to touch" and wouldn't likely come out if he was called by name.
At least four petitions have surfaced on Change.org following Graham's tragic death, including one by Kat Reid who wants to create a "Draven Alert" for missing children with autism and other vulnerable kids. So far over 24,000 people and counting have signed this petition, which has a set goal of 25,000 signatures.
Suzi Guarrasi started another similar petition on the platform with two other unnamed women who are mothers to children with autism.
"This is every parents worst nightmare but most especially if your child is at high risk elopement with a disability," Suzi Guarrasi wrote.
"No one received an Alert immediately, why?"
So, when are amber alerts issued in Ontario?
Per the Ontario Provincial Police, these emergency notices are sent out whenever a child has been abducted and is "believed to be at imminent risk of bodily harm or death."
There are some criteria that have to be met before an amber alert is even issued. First off, law enforcement has to believe that a kid under 18 years old has been abducted and that they are in danger.
There also has to be enough descriptive information that can be shared about the kid, abductor or vehicle, and there's to be the "belief that an immediate broadcast alert will help in locating the child."
According to the OPP, amber alerts aren't used for missing children because sending out too many notices could lead to the public not taking it as seriously when it's "truly needed."