The death of 6-year-old Joshua Al-Lateef Jr. in November 2024 has spurred a grassroots movement to implement a new safety alert system for missing children with autism.

Joshua, a nonverbal autistic child, wandered from his home in West Chester, Ohio, and tragically drowned in a nearby retention pond. His family’s grief has transformed into a call for change through a proposed “Joshua Alert,” aimed at preventing similar tragedies.

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The Joshua Alert would act like an Amber Alert but focus on spectrum disorders.

Why the Joshua Alert Is Needed

Children with autism are at a significantly higher risk of wandering, a behavior known as elopement. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the risk of drowning for children on the spectrum is more than 160 times greater than for neurotypical peers. In the Greater Cincinnati area alone, at least three children with autism have died in similar incidents since 2015.

Joshua’s family believes that the current alert systems, including Amber Alerts and endangered missing child alerts, fail to adequately address the unique challenges of locating missing autistic children.

“If an alert system like the Joshua Alert had existed, we might have found our son in time,” the family wrote.

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Families of children with autism face heightened risks due to wandering behaviors.

How the Existing System Fell Short

When Joshua disappeared, his family immediately called 911. However, the first widespread notification to the community did not occur until more than five hours later, as reported by Cincinnati Enquirer. The delay stemmed from limitations in existing protocols. For example, Amber Alerts are issued only for confirmed abduction cases, and endangered missing child alerts rely on media dissemination rather than direct phone notifications.

Captain Seth Hagaman of the West Chester Police Department explained that a reverse 911 call reached 4,000 landline phones within hours, but few people use landlines today. An Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) alert was also issued, marking the first live emergency use of the system in Butler County. Despite these efforts, the lack of a tailored alert for children with autism slowed the community's ability to mobilize.

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Ohio legislators are discussing potential adoption of the Joshua Alert proposal.

What the Joshua Alert Proposes

The Joshua Alert would be modeled after the Amber Alert but specifically address the needs of children with autism and other spectrum disorders. It would initiate an immediate community-wide notification when a child with autism goes missing, allowing searches to start without delay.

“This is a real thing, and this could happen to anybody,” Joshua’s mother, Jonisa Cook, told FOX 19. “I don’t want this to happen to anyone.”

State lawmakers in Ohio have shown early support for the initiative. Cecil Thomas, a state senator, told WLWT that he plans to sponsor a bill in the next legislative session. “Children’s lives are priceless,” Thomas said. “This would be a huge step in the right direction.”

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Advocates argue that rapid, autism-specific alerts could prevent future tragedies.

Learning from Other States

Kentucky became the first state to enact an autism-specific alert system in 2022, following a similar tragedy. Rhonda O’Brien, whose grandson drowned after wandering, praised the effort to create the Joshua Alert in Ohio.

“There are so many kids out there who need that extra layer of protection,” O’Brien told WLWT. The Kentucky alert has already proven its effectiveness by mobilizing communities more quickly.

Community and Family Support

In the days following Joshua’s death, the West Chester community rallied around his family. Over 1,000 volunteers joined the search, using helicopters, drones, and dive teams. Local businesses, such as J Mel’s VIP Barber Lounge, donated portions of their revenue to support the family, Hamilton Journal News reported.

The family remains deeply grateful for the outpouring of support.

“Joshua wasn’t just ours—he was everybody’s,” Joshua Sr. told FOX 19. Now, they hope that their tragedy can lead to a lifesaving change.

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Families across the U.S. are rallying behind the Joshua Alert initiative.

Looking Ahead

The Joshua Alert is more than a proposal—it’s a plea to protect vulnerable children. By leveraging modern technology and community action, this alert system could save lives and spare families unimaginable grief. As Ohio legislators consider the proposal, Joshua’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for tailored safety measures.

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