The death of Avonte Oquendo, an autistic teenager, will not go in vain as the U.S. Department Of Justice (DOJ) said that it will fund GPS tracking devices for children with autism or similar diseases.
On October 4, 2013, Avonte walked out of his Queens school in New York in the middle of the day. He approached an exit where a security guard asked him where he was going. The 14-year old autistic teenager was unable to speak or use language and did not respond to the security guard. Avonte continued exiting from the school and police say that the guard did not stop him from leaving from a side door.
Avonte disappeared after leaving the school, which triggered the New York Police Department (NYPD) to start a citywide manhunt for the teenager. On Thursday, January 16, police found Avonte's remains on the rocky banks of the East River, miles away from where he was last seen. Avonte's cause of death remains unknown.
The death of Avonte made family and New York Senator Charles Schumer call for legislation, which can provide GPS tracking devices for autistic children. On Wednesday, January 29, Schumer said that the DOJ has agreed to use existing federal funds to offer GPS tracking devices to children with autism spectrum disorder.
Currently, the federal government already provides grants to people suffering with Alzheimer's disease to purchase tracking devices.
Running away from parents, teachers or caregivers is very common among children who suffer from severe autism. The GPS tracking devices given to autistic children can be clipped onto shoelaces, belt loops, or even worn on the wrist.
"Voluntary tracking devices will help our teachers and parents in the event that the child runs away and, God forbid, goes missing," said Schumer.
The devices will be monitored by local law enforcement and training for authorities will be also be paid for by the grant funds.
Each GPS tracking device costs $85 and some additional monthly fee. Schumer said that he will push for the legislation to provide stable funding.
