This past weekend members of the Lawrence Police Patrol
Division responded to two separate incidents during which child with Autism
wandered from their homes. Early Sunday
morning, Officer Carol Castillo and Lissette Castillo responded to the area of Erving
Ave. and Jackson St. for a report of an unattended child. Upon arrival they located a 5 year old male.
Unable to locate an adult in the immediate area, Officer Carol Castillo requested
an ambulance to have the child transported to LGH for an evaluation. As
Officers were canvasing the area, Lawrence General Hospital contacted the
Lawrence Police Department informing the department of a possible address where
the child’s mother maybe staying. Officer Carol Castillo responded to the
address and located the child’s mother.
In a separate incident later that same day, Officer Carlos
Garcia responded to Water Street for a second child with Autism who was located
by a resident. As Officers were
canvasing the area, Lawrence General Hospital contacted the Lawrence Police
Department informing the department that the child and the mother were reunited
at hospital. Officer Garcia responded to
the hospital to interview the mother.
In both incidents the Department of Children and Families was
notified and information was provided as to the Lawrence Police Department’s
Safe Watch Program.