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.