Tag:

Autism

Father Killed While Trying To Save Sons From Fire Was Devoted Goshen Dad, Heroic Lineman Father Killed While Trying To Save Sons From Fire Was Devoted Goshen Dad, Heroic Lineman
Father Killed While Trying To Save Sons From Fire Was Devoted Goshen Dad, Heroic Lineman Services have been scheduled to honor the life of a Hudson Valley father and dedicated lineman who died while trying to save his sons from a burning home.  Shane Webb Munn, age 50, of Goshen, died on Saturday, May 31, after he rushed back into his burning home on Pulaski Highway in a desperate effort to rescue his two sons, Ryan, 17, and Travis, 12.  All three died as a result of the fire, which was reported around 8:10 p.m. at 876 Pulaski Highway, as previously reported by Daily Voice.  According to New York State Police, Munn had been seen using a weed trimmer outsid…
TA Gets More Charges After Pushing Students' Heads Underwater In West Nyack School Pool: DA TA Gets More Charges After Pushing Students' Heads Underwater In West Nyack School Pool: DA
TA Gets More Charges After Pushing Students' Heads Underwater In West Nyack School Pool: DA A Rockland County teaching assistant accused of submerging two non-verbal autistic children underwater during a class session has now been indicted by a grand jury on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, prosecutors announced. Catherine Rios, 54, of Nyack, was indicted by a Rockland County grand jury on two felony counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, and two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh announced on Tuesday, May 27.   The charges stem from an alle…
Plainfield Woman Abused Autistic Victim, Poured Urine On Her, Stole Disability Benefits: Police Plainfield Woman Abused Autistic Victim, Poured Urine On Her, Stole Disability Benefits: Police
Plainfield Woman Abused Autistic Victim, Poured Urine On Her, Stole Disability Benefits: Police A 59-year-old Connecticut woman faces multiple charges after allegedly abusing and financially exploiting an autistic woman for years, police said. Police began investigating Lisa Neal, of Plainfield, in April after receiving an anonymous tip about the suspected abuse, authorities said. Neal is accused of denying the woman access to the bathroom, which forced her to urinate in a trash can. When Neal discovered what had happened, she allegedly dumped the contents of the can onto the victim and refused to allow her to change clothes, police said. In addition to the alleged physical and emoti…
K-9 Hero: Missing Autistic Boy Found Safe In Montgomery After Early-Morning Search K-9 Hero: Missing Autistic Boy Found Safe In Montgomery After Early-Morning Search
K-9 Hero: Missing Autistic Boy Found Safe In Montgomery After Early-Morning Search An 11-year-old autistic boy who went missing in the early morning hours on Monday, May 5, was found safe thanks to the fast work of a K-9 team in Orange County. The child was reported missing around 6:50 a.m. on Monday after leaving his home in the Village of Montgomery more than an hour earlier, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.  Village police called in the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit for help, and Deputy Brian Burger and K-9 Jett quickly responded to the scene.  K-9 Jett picked up the boy’s scent behind the house and tracked it through nearby woods and a valley. P…
Autistic Man Missing In Newark: Police Autistic Man Missing In Newark: Police
Autistic Man Missing In Newark: Police A 21-year-old man has been missing in Newark since Friday, May 2, authorities said. Yiyjaa Wilson, who was diagnosed with autism, was last seen on the 200 block of Hunterdon Street, Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr. said. He is 6’4” and weighs 160 lbs., Miranda said. He was last seen wearing a black and white Nike t-shirt, black pants and white sneakers, Miranda said. He has a birthmark on the center of his neck, Miranda said. He is known to frequent the 300 block of Lyons Avenue, near St. Peter’s Recreation Center, Miranda said. Anyone with information is asked to contac…
Minnesota Mom Who Called Autistic Boy Racial Slur Raises Over $600K After Viral Video Minnesota Mom Who Called Autistic Boy Racial Slur Raises Over $600K After Viral Video
Minnesota Mom Who Called Autistic Boy Racial Slur Raises Over $600K After Viral Video A Minnesota mother who admitted to calling a 5-year-old autistic boy a racial slur in a viral video has raised more than $600,000 in online donations after claiming she feared for her life because of threats and harassment. Shiloh Hendrix identified herself as the woman in the widely circulated video, which was filmed last week at a park in Rochester, Minnesota. In a GiveSendGo fundraising campaign, she said she feared retaliation and sought public support. Hundreds of donors have contributed, helping her raise over half of her $1 million goal. "I am so grateful to all of you who have donat…
Alert Issued For Vulnerable Adult Reported Missing In Baldwin Alert Issued For Vulnerable Adult Reported Missing In Baldwin
Alert Issued For Vulnerable Adult Reported Missing In Baldwin Authorities are seeking help in locating a missing vulnerable adult from Long Island. Isaiah Farrow, 23, was last seen on McKinley Street in Baldwin at around 2 a.m. Friday, April 4, according to Nassau County Police. Farrow has autism, is non-verbal, and may be in need of medication, police said. He was last seen wearing a red North Face jacket, black gloves, red, white, and black sneakers, a backpack, and an ID bracelet with his contact information. Farrow likes to ride trains and buses, and may travel to New York City or the Hamptons, police noted. Anyone with information is asked to …
NJ Dating Coach Shines On New Season Of Netflix's 'Love On The Spectrum' NJ Dating Coach Shines On New Season Of Netflix's 'Love On The Spectrum'
NJ Dating Coach Shines On New Season Of Netflix's 'Love On The Spectrum' Get ready to fall in love all over again — "Love on the Spectrum" Season 3 just dropped on Netflix, and yes, your favorite cast members are back. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Netflix US (@netflix) The new season, which follows young adults on the autism spectrum searching for love, premiered Wednesday, April 2, in honor of World Autism Awareness Day, bringing with it everything fans love about the hit Emmy® Award-winning docu-series: heart, honesty, and awkward-yet-sweet moments that will have you grinning through happy tears. …
FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Slams 'Misinformation And Lies' In Exit Letter FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Slams 'Misinformation And Lies' In Exit Letter
FDA Vaccine Chief Resigns, Slams 'Misinformation And Lies' In Exit Letter The nation's top vaccine regulator is stepping down — and he's not going quietly. Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), announced his resignation in a letter dated Friday, March 28, saying he will retire from federal service on April 5 after more than a decade at the agency. Marks — one of the key officials behind Operation Warp Speed — did not hold back in his two-page farewell, slamming what he called “an unprecedented assault on scientific truth” and accusing the Health and Human Services Secretary of seeking “subservient confirmation…
4-Year-Old Child Rescued in Croton Falls After Kidnapping, Chase On I-84, I-684: Police 4-Year-Old Child Rescued in Croton Falls After Kidnapping, Chase On I-84, I-684: Police
4-Year-Old Child Rescued in Croton Falls After Kidnapping, Chase On I-84, I-684: Police This story has been updated.  A four-year-old child with autism was safely rescued after being abducted in a rapidly unfolding kidnapping situation that spanned Westchester, Dutchess, and Putnam counties, authorities announced. The incident began on Saturday, Feb. 22, when Putnam County 911 received a report of a vehicle stolen out of LaGrange. Authorities learned that the suspect, 26-year-old Jahyra Allen of Brooklyn, had allegedly taken the car from a family member and abducted her 4-year-old child, whom she does not have legal custody of, according to New York State Police. Authori…
Two Pemberton Men Learn Fate For Murdering Autistic Teen: Prosecutor Two Pemberton Men Learn Fate For Murdering Autistic Teen: Prosecutor
Two Pemberton Men Learn Fate For Murdering Autistic Teen: Prosecutor Two Pemberton gang members will likely be spending the rest of their life behind bars after being sentenced on Friday, Feb. 21 for their role in murdering a Willingboro teen with autism, authorities said.  Kavon Carter, 27, and Sylas Young, 22, were sentenced to 110 years in prison and 80 years in prison, after being convicted of first degree murder in the fatal shooting of Yahsinn "YaYa" Robinson, 18, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said. At 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2021, police responded to Willingboro High School and found Robinson had been shot several ti…
Tragedy Strikes Twice: Cancer, Fire, and Heartbreak Devastate Harrisburg Family Tragedy Strikes Twice: Cancer, Fire, and Heartbreak Devastate Harrisburg Family
Tragedy Strikes Twice: Cancer, Fire, and Heartbreak Devastate Harrisburg Family Forever 16-years-old, Bryleigh Rayne Hoover, of Harrisburg, PA, fought bone cancer with unimaginable courage—only to be taken too soon on February 8, 2025. Her story, marked by loss and resilience, resonates far beyond her hometown. Just days after Christmas, on December 28, 2023, a fire tore through their West Hanover Township home, leaving her single mother, Amanda Via—a dedicated nurse—and her 6-year-old brother Jaxon, who has autism, with nothing but heartbreak and hope. Bryleigh was more than a fighter; she was an artist, a dreamer, and her brother’s fiercest protector. Her paintings br…
Reading Man Who Sexually Abused Autistic Child, Fled Sentencing, Captured In Dominican Republic Reading Man Who Sexually Abused Autistic Child, Fled Sentencing, Captured In Dominican Republic
Reading Man Who Sexually Abused Autistic Child, Fled Sentencing, Captured In Dominican Republic A Reading man who sexually abused an autistic child and skipped his sentencing hearing was captured in the Dominican Republic and returned to Berks County, authorities announced Friday, Feb. 7. Rafael Vendrell, 75, pleaded nolo contendere to two counts of Aggravated Indecent Assault in November 2023 after being accused of sexually abusing an autistic juvenile, according to Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams. Vendrell was released on bail while awaiting his sentencing on Feb. 14, 2024, but failed to appear in court, prompting a judge to issue a bench warrant, authorities said. On …
9-Year-Old Boy Killed In Shooting Identified: 'Our Family Is Shattered' 9-Year-Old Boy Killed In Shooting Identified: 'Our Family Is Shattered'
9-Year-Old Boy Killed In Shooting Identified: 'Our Family Is Shattered' Yasin Morrison was just 9-years-old when he was killed after being struck by a stray bullet in Newark on Friday, Jan. 31, authorities said. Yasin was on his way to visit his grandparents with his father and little sisters when he was hit, "robbing us of his bright future in an instant," his family wrote on a GoFundMe fundraising page. "Our family is shattered beyond words, and we now face the heartbreaking reality of saying goodbye to our sweet boy." Jesse Dunbar, a 36-year-old Newark resident, faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and multiple wea…
Community Helps Find Missing Teen With Autism In Pelham, Police Commend Efforts (UPDATE) Community Helps Find Missing Teen With Autism In Pelham, Police Commend Efforts (UPDATE)
Community Helps Find Missing Teen With Autism In Pelham, Police Commend Efforts (Update) Authorities are commending the extensive efforts of community members for their role in safely locating 18-year-old Archer Hands, who was reported missing on Thursday, Jan. 16. Archer, a teen with autism, was last seen at around 1 p.m. on Wolfs Lane in Pelham and was found safe later that evening. In a statement released on Friday, Jan. 17, the Pelham Police Department highlighted the extensive efforts that led to the positive outcome, describing a coordinated search involving neighboring police departments, including Pelham Manor, New Rochelle, MTA, NYPD, and Westchester County Police. …
Rockland Sheriff’s Office Launches Blue Envelope Program For Drivers With Autism Rockland Sheriff’s Office Launches Blue Envelope Program For Drivers With Autism
Rockland Sheriff’s Office Launches Blue Envelope Program For Drivers With Autism The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office is introducing the Blue Envelope Program, a safety initiative to improve interactions between law enforcement and autistic drivers. Sheriff Louis Falco III announced the program by emphasizing the unique challenges faced by drivers with autism during routine traffic stops.  “There are many adult drivers living with autism whose physical movements or verbal responses may be beyond their control during a traffic stop,” said Falco. “Unfortunately, this has sometimes led to misunderstandings and escalations during interactions with law enforcement.” Fa…
Missing 18-Year-Old From Pelham Found (UPDATE) Missing 18-Year-Old From Pelham Found (UPDATE)
Missing 18-Year-Old From Pelham Found (Update) New Update:  A missing 18-year-old with autism from Westchester has been found, police announced.  Archer Hands, who was reported missing by the Village of Pelham Police Department on Thursday, Jan. 16 after last being seen at around 1 p.m. on Wolfs Lane, was found safe later on Thursday night, the department said at around 8:40 p.m.  He has been reunited with his family, police added.  Original Report: Authorities in Westchester are asking for help from the public in finding a missing 18-year-old man with autism who is reported to be nonverbal. Archer Hands, age 18, was reported missing …
Pemberton Twp. Gang Members Convicted Of Killing Willingboro Teen With Autism, Prosecutors Say Pemberton Twp. Gang Members Convicted Of Killing Willingboro Teen With Autism, Prosecutors Say
Pemberton Twp. Gang Members Convicted Of Killing Willingboro Teen With Autism, Prosecutors Say Two Pemberton Township men were found guilty of murder in the 2021 killing of a Willingboro teen with autism, authorities said. A jury convicted 27-year-old Kavon Carter and 22-year-old Sylas Young on Tuesday, Dec. 17, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw said in a news release. They were indicted in the death of 18-year-old Yahsinn "YaYa" Robinson. Willingboro police responded to Barrington Lane just before 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 22, 2021. Robinson, a senior at Willingboro High School, was shot several times and pronounced dead at the scene. Investig…
New Haven Officers 'Restore Faith' After 'Heartless' Theft Of Autistic Man's Shoes New Haven Officers 'Restore Faith' After 'Heartless' Theft Of Autistic Man's Shoes
New Haven Officers 'Restore Faith' After 'Heartless' Theft Of Autistic Man's Shoes Small gestures often shine the brightest, and two New Haven police officers proved it by turning a bleak situation into a moment of kindness for one man. An autistic man reported to New Haven police that a group of juveniles assaulted him and stole his sneakers and hat on Whalley Avenue on Thursday, Nov. 14. The encounter left him shaken and terrified. That’s when Officer Trevor Brown stepped in. Brown didn’t just take the report—he brought the case to district manager Sgt. Lambe, who collaborated with New Haven’s Office of Youth Services. Together, they worked to restore the man’s faith i…
Trump Taps Another Vaccine Skeptic, An Amityville Native, To Lead CDC Trump Taps Another Vaccine Skeptic, An Amityville Native, To Lead CDC
Trump Taps Another Vaccine Skeptic, An Amityville Native, To Lead CDC Another vaccine skeptic with New York ties could soon shape public health policy. President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Florida congressman and physician Dave Weldon to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon was born on Long Island, in Amityville, and graduated from Stony Brook University in 1978 before earning his M.D. degree at the University of Buffalo in 1981. Earlier Report: Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services “In addition to being a medical doctor for 40 years, and an Ar…
Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services
Trump Selects Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Secretary Of Health, Human Services President-elect Donald Trump tapped a controversial New Yorker to oversee public health. Robert F Kennedy Jr. is his choice for secretary of health and human services, Trump announced Thursday, Nov. 14.  "For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trump said on Truth Social. Earlier Report: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Suspends Presidential Bid, Backs Donald Trump "The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any A…
Ex-Staffer At Wethersfield Group Home Attacked Autistic Patient, Broke Their Nose: Police Ex-Staffer At Wethersfield Group Home Attacked Autistic Patient, Broke Their Nose: Police
Ex-Staffer At Wethersfield Group Home Attacked Autistic Patient, Broke Their Nose: Police Police in Connecticut are investigating a former group home employee who is accused of attacking an autistic patient so violently that the non-verbal woman needed to be hospitalized, authorities said.  Kendra A. Demudd, 28, of Hartford, was arrested and charged with assault on a person with an intellectual disability, reckless endangerment, and cruelty to persons, Wethersfield Police said. She was being held on a $50,000 bond.  Demudd, a former employee at HARC, a group home on Eastern Drive in Wethersfield, is accused of repeatedly assaulting the 28-year-old resident in the early…
Bernie Marcus, Billionaire Co-Founder Of The Home Depot From Newark, Dead At 95 Bernie Marcus, Billionaire Co-Founder Of The Home Depot From Newark, Dead At 95
Bernie Marcus, Billionaire Co-Founder Of The Home Depot From Newark, Dead At 95 Bernie Marcus, who helped found The Home Depot and grew up in Newark, died on Monday, Nov. 4 at the age of 95, the hardware chain announced. Born to Russian Jewish immigrants, Marcus dreamed of being a doctor while growing up in Newark, according to an obituary posted by The Home Depot. His family couldn't afford medical school, so he attended Rutgers University and received a degree in pharmacy, his obituary reads. Marcus worked for several companies before he became chairman of the board and president of Handy Dan Improvement Centers, according to his obituary. After getting fired from Ha…
Boy With Autism, Father Reunited By Paramus Police After Jarring 2 Hours Boy With Autism, Father Reunited By Paramus Police After Jarring 2 Hours
Boy With Autism, Father Reunited By Paramus Police After Jarring 2 Hours Police officers in Paramus reunited a 13-year-old boy with autism and his father after the boy wandered off from the family home Sunday morning, Oct. 27, authorities said. The 5'9" Black male was wearing a black tracksuit and red and white sneakers when he wandered off near Split Rock Road around 8:15 a.m., Paramus Police Chief Robert Guidetti said.  The department deployed its drone unit and updated its social media accounts to notify the public. At 10:20 a.m., Officer Jason Hall spotted the boy safely walking along Farview Avenue, about half a mile away from home, the chief said.&nb…
Lindenwold Toddler Killed By Car Had 'Boundless Love,' Campaign Says Lindenwold Toddler Killed By Car Had 'Boundless Love,' Campaign Says
Lindenwold Toddler Killed By Car Had 'Boundless Love,' Campaign Says A family was rallying for support after a Lindenwold toddler was killed in a crash in Evesham Township, according to a fundraising campaign. A GoFundMe page identified a three-year-old named Amiri as the victim of the Wednesday, Oct. 16 crash. Evesham police said the boy died after the wreck on Route 73 near Holtec Drive. Amiri was survived by his pregnant mother Jahamala Traylor, his father Kerry, and his three siblings. "Amiri's positive attitude and boundless love will be deeply missed," wrote Leon Kelly, the fundraiser's organizer. "He had a unique way of brightening even the…
Missing Non-Verbal, Autistic 5-Year-Old Found Dead In Pond Near Waldorf Home: Sheriff Missing Non-Verbal, Autistic 5-Year-Old Found Dead In Pond Near Waldorf Home: Sheriff
Missing Non-Verbal, Autistic 5-Year-Old Found Dead In Pond Near Waldorf Home: Sheriff The tale of a missing 5-year-old child suffering from autism in Charles County ended in tragedy when he was found dead in a nearby pond, investigators confirm. An hours-long search for Miles McMahon came to its conclusion on Sunday night when the non-verbal, autistic child was found in the water not far from his house, according to the sheriff's office. McMahon was reported missing at around 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13 from the 1000 block of St. Pauls Drive in Waldorf, where he was last seen skipping in the front yard. Miles McMahon Charles County Sheriff's Office Family members searc…
Seen Her Or This Car? Alert Issued For Missing Levittown Woman Seen Her Or This Car? Alert Issued For Missing Levittown Woman
Seen Her Or This Car? Alert Issued For Missing Levittown Woman Have you seen her or her car on a New York roadway? A Long Island woman has gone missing and authorities are asking the public's help in locating her. Erin O'Brien, age 37, was last seen on Harrow Lane in Levittown at 6:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, authorities say. She is described as being 5-foot-7, 225 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. Authorities describe her as being vulnerable and say she has autism. She was driving a 2018 green Honda HRV with New York registration KMK-2814. Information indicates that she may be in the upstate New York village of Speculator in Hamilton County, acco…
Woman Abused Child At Daycare For Children With Autism: Mt Olive PD Woman Abused Child At Daycare For Children With Autism: Mt Olive PD
Woman Abused Child At Daycare For Children With Autism: Mt Olive PD A 25-year-old woman was arrested and charged on Monday, Sept. 9, with abusing a child at a daycare center in Budd Lake for children with autism. Last month, officers said a parent reported to Mount Olive Police Department that their daughter was assaulted while attending Carebot ABA, a daycare facility that offers personalized treatment plans for children on the autism spectrum and other developmental disorders, according to its website. Following an investigation, officers arrested Skylar Jean Carroll and charged her with child abuse, Mount Olive Police said. She was released pending a cou…
First In NY: 'Sensory Inclusive' Tools Now Standard Equipment For Rockville Centre PD First In NY: 'Sensory Inclusive' Tools Now Standard Equipment For Rockville Centre PD
First In NY: 'Sensory Inclusive' Tools Now Standard Equipment For Rockville Centre PD A police department on Long Island is the first in New York to become certified sensory inclusive. The Village of Rockville Centre Police Department was certified by KultureCity, a nonprofit organization that typically trains venue staff to accommodate people with sensory needs, like those with autism. Every officer at the department underwent training that focuses on understanding, acceptance, and empathy toward those who have sensory needs “with the goal to enhance future interactions between law enforcement and the community to create the best outcomes,” the village said. In addition to…
Illegal Immigrant Admits To Murder Of Woman Recorded On BF's Voicemail In Aberdeen: Prosecutors Illegal Immigrant Admits To Murder Of Woman Recorded On BF's Voicemail In Aberdeen: Prosecutors
Illegal Immigrant Admits To Murder Of Woman Recorded On BF's Voicemail In Aberdeen: Prosecutors The teenager in the country illegally who killed a 20-year-old woman who was found unconscious on the floor of her bedroom by her boyfriend bound at the wrists and with a phone charging court wrapped around her neck copped to the crime, authorities announced. Walter Javier Martinez, now 19, who is a confirmed member of MS-13 pleaded guilty to murder this week in Harford County in connection to the July 2022 murder of Kayla Hamilton, whose body was found three days after her 20th birthday. According to the Harford County State's Attorney's Office, on July 27, 2022, both the victim's boyfrien…
Non-Verbal Autistic Child Rescued From Lake By Police, Lifeguard In Maryland Non-Verbal Autistic Child Rescued From Lake By Police, Lifeguard In Maryland
Non-Verbal Autistic Child Rescued From Lake By Police, Lifeguard In Maryland A young, non-verbal autistic child was rescued from a large lake at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in Montgomery County. According to officials, on Wednesday afternoon, police and a lifeguard from a nearby pool had to dive headfirst into a lake at the park following reports of the child entering the waters. Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police were able to get to the child and safely brought him to the shore.  "Excellent job," a spokesperson for the department stated, "and quick thinking by responding officers and many thanks to the lifeguards who ran down to help th…