Protecting Children With Autism: Lessons From Loss and the Promise of the Joshua Alert Law
In November 2025, the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 359, a measure designed to strengthen protections for children with autism and other developmental disabilities when they go missing. Known as the Joshua Alert Law, the bill reflects both a legislative response and a collective reckoning born of tragedy.
The law is named after six-year-old Joshua Al-Lateef Jr., a nonspeaking child with autism who went missing in West Chester Township in November of the previous year. Because he did not meet the existing criteria for a statewide alert, no immediate emergency notification was issued. After an extensive search involving more than 300 volunteers and multiple agencies, Joshua was found in a nearby pond. The Butler County Coroner ruled his death an accidental drowning.
Joshua’s story has since become a catalyst for change.
What the Joshua Alert Law Proposes
House Bill 359 would require local law enforcement agencies to immediately notify Ohio’s statewide emergency alert system when a missing child is known to have autism or a developmental disability. The bill recognizes a critical reality. Children on the autism spectrum, especially those who are nonspeaking, face heightened risks when they wander or elope from safe environments.
Under current systems, many children with autism do not qualify for existing alerts such as AMBER Alerts, which are designed primarily for abduction cases. The Joshua Alert Law seeks to close that gap by prioritizing vulnerability and urgency over rigid criteria. The bill now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
A Tragic Search That Mobilized a Community
Joshua Al-Lateef Jr. was last seen around 5:30 p.m. near his family’s apartment complex on Wyndtree Drive in West Chester Township, a northern suburb of Cincinnati. He had been dropped off earlier in the day by his school bus driver and was with his adult sister before he went missing.
His older brother called 911 to report him missing. Search crews quickly mobilized, focusing on nearby retention ponds after the family shared that Joshua was drawn to water. Despite sustained efforts over two days, Joshua’s body was discovered during an additional nighttime search.
West Chester Township Police Chief Brian Rebholz spoke for many when he said, “Tonight we grieve with them. We were on a mission to locate Joshua and bring him home, and unfortunately this is where we’re at.”
Authorities stated there was no indication of foul play.
Autism, Wandering, and the Risk of Drowning
Joshua’s death is not an isolated incident. The National Autism Association reports that wandering or elopement remains one of the most dangerous challenges facing children with autism. In 2024 alone, 56 children and two adults with autism died after going missing, most as a result of accidental drowning.
Nonspeaking children are at particularly high risk. Water sources such as ponds, lakes, and retention basins are often close to homes, schools, and playgrounds. Changes in routine, increased noise, travel, and holiday disruptions can further heighten exit-seeking behavior.
In a six-year study by the National Autism Association, 45 percent of wandering incidents occurred under non-parent supervision, including at schools, with relatives, or in community settings. This underscores the shared responsibility of caregivers, educators, and institutions.
Understanding Autism: A Shared Responsibility
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. Because it is a spectrum, no two individuals experience autism in the same way. Some require significant daily support, while others live independently and contribute across professions and communities.
Early signs often emerge by age two or three and may include delayed speech, limited eye contact, resistance to changes in routine, and repetitive behaviors. Early diagnosis and intervention remain critical. Behavioral therapy, speech and language support, and occupational therapy can meaningfully improve outcomes when tailored to a child’s needs.
The Role of Schools and Communities
Schools are often the central environments in a child’s daily life, making them vital partners in both education and safety. Individualized Education Programs, trained staff, and autism-aware emergency protocols can save lives. Teacher training is not optional in this context. It is foundational.
Lakota Local Schools, where Joshua attended Wyandot Early Childhood School, emphasized support and counseling for students and staff following his death. Their response reflects the broader role schools play not only in learning, but in collective care.
Communities also matter. Awareness campaigns, inclusive recreation, and employment opportunities adapted to individual strengths help reduce stigma and isolation. More importantly, informed communities respond faster when a child goes missing.
Moving From Awareness to Action
Autism Awareness Day and similar observances serve an important purpose, but awareness without action is not enough. The Joshua Alert Law represents a practical step toward preventing future tragedies by recognizing vulnerability as a trigger for urgency.
Joshua Al-Lateef Jr.’s life, though short, has already shaped public policy in Ohio. The hope now is that his legacy will also shape preparedness, compassion, and responsibility across homes, schools, law enforcement agencies, and neighborhoods.
Protecting children with autism requires systems that understand them, communities that watch out for them, and laws that respond when seconds matter.
