Christopher Morrison

Christopher Morrison, Jr. (2008-2013)

Christopher Morrison, Jr. (aka JR) was five years old and had autism. He lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On May 31, 2013, Christopher got out of a locked door at his home and wandered off to nearby Indian Creek, where he fell in and drowned. Christopher is the son of Chris Morrison and Samantha Faulk.

Tributes: 

"JR was the best son that anyone could have ever had. He was always a giant ball of energy who was loved by everyone, hated by no one and who terrorized everyone. A person couldn't stay mad at him because that smile and grin got you every time. JR lived life to the fullest and didn't look back (Source)."

Links about Christopher Morrison: 

Obituary: The Gazette Obituary

Blogs: 

• Joe Blair's Blog  

• Autistic Lives Lost to Wandering Elopment

News: 

• Name Released in Child Drowning 

• Iowa 5 year-old Drowns in Creek 

Freddie Williams

Freddie Williams (1999-2013)

Fred "Freddie" Williams of Webb City, Missouri was 14 years old and had autism. He went missing and was found drowned in a pond on May 30, 2013. Freddie is the son of Tommy J. Williams and Jeniffer Stephens Williams.

Tributes: 

Freddie loved to fish, go boating, play with Hot Wheels and monster trucks and loved to watch wrestling on TV where John Cena was his favorite wrestler. He loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed by all that knew him (From Obituary).

Links about Freddie Williams: 

Obituary: Joplin Globe Obituary

Blogs: 

• Age of Autism 

• Autistic Lives Lost to Wandering 

News: 

• Body of Missing Child Recovered From Small Body of Water Near Webb City High School 

• Candlelight Service Scheduled Sunday for Webb City Boy

Genesis Eppert

Genesis Eppert, 9 Years

Genesis Eppert was nine years old and had autism. She lived in Cumberland, Indiana near Indianapolis. Genesis died on May 20, 2013, along with her brother Forrest Eppert who also had autism, when her family's condo caught on fire. Genesis is the daughter of Stephanie Eppert and Darrell Hughes.

Links about Genesis Eppert: 

News: 

• 2 of Women's 3 Autistic Children Die in Ind. Condo Fire  

• 2 Children Killed, 4 Hospitalized in Cumberland Fire 

• Burns, Smoke Inhalation Killed Two Children in Cumberland Fire

Forrest Eppert

Forrest Eppert, 8 Years

Forrest Eppert was eight years old and had autism. He lived in Cumberland, Indiana near Indianapolis. Forrest died on May 20, 2013, along with his sister Genesis Eppert who also had autism, when his family's condo caught on fire. Forrest is the son of Stephanie Eppert and Darrell Hughes.

Links about Forrest Eppert: 

News: 

• 2 of Women's 3 Autistic Children Die in Ind. Condo Fire  

• 2 Children Killed, 4 Hospitalized in Cumberland Fire 

• Burns, Smoke Inhalation Killed Two Children in Cumberland Fire

Drew Howell

Drew Howell, 2 Years

Andrew "Drew" Howell of Akron, Ohio was two years old and had autism. He passed away on May 18, 2013. He was on vacation in southern Ohio and wandered away from his family and was found in the nearby Muskingum River. He was the son of Andrew and Kelly Howell.

Tributes: Was Always Happy and Had a Contagious Smile

"Drew was always happy and had a contagious smile. He loved to snuggle especially with his Mommy and Daddy. He was rarely upset unless he was hungry (From Obituary)." 

Betsy Tausch said, "What a sweet and happy boy. My heartfelt sympathies are with you as are my prayers. He truly was a joyful child (One of 80 entries in Drew's Guest Book at Legacy.com)."

Links about Drew Howell: 

Obituary: Legacy.com Obituary 

Memorial Funds: Drew Howell Fund at Give Forward 

Blogs: Lives Lost to Autism Blog 

Special Condolences: Autism Speaks 

News:

• Akron Toddler Drowns in River in Southern Ohio

• Toddler Drowns During Family Getaway

Owen Black

Owen Black, 8 Years

Owen Elliott Black of New Orleans, Louisiana had autism and passed away at the age of 8. Owen wandered off on May 17, 2013, while his family was vacationing in Perdido Key, Florida. A beach visitor found his body on the Gulf side of Perdido Key on May 19, 2013.  He was the son of Dr. Brandon Sanders Black and Julia Carol Jurisich.

Tributes: Was a Happy Child Who Loved to Spend Time With His Family

"Owen was a happy child who loved to spend time with his family riding his bike at the park and playing at the beach. Owen will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He held a special place in the hearts of all his friends (From Owen's Obituary)." 

Sheriff Morgan stated, "We ask for the community and nation's prayers for this family in mourning and our thanks are again extended to all law enforcement, military, state and federal agencies as well as the hundreds of volunteers who responded to Owen's call (Source).

Links about Owen Black:

Obituary: Legacy.com Obituary 

Blogs: Lives Lost to Autism Blog 

Special Condolences: Autism Speaks 

News:

• Parents of Deceased Autistic Boy Send Sheriff Thank You Note

• Missing Perdido Key Autistic Child Owen Black Found Dead

• Owen Black's Accidental Death Raises Autism Awareness

• Video of Press Conference on Owen Black's Drowning by Sherriff David Morgan of Escambia County Sheriff's Office

Mikaela Lynch

Mikaela Lynch, 9 Years

Mikaela Lynch of Clear Lake, California had autism and passed away at 9 years of age. She went missing on on May 12, 2013, from her back yard, where she was playing on a trampoline and slipped out through a fence gate that was accidently left open for a brief time. Rescue personnel discovered her body in Cache Creek in Clearlake on May 15, 2013.

Tributes: Her Constant Smile and Laughter Were Contagious and Uplifting

"Beautiful. Determined. Fearless. Proud. All words used by Mikaela's loved ones to describe who she was as a human being. Her constant smile and laughter were contagious and uplifting. A girl with meaningful intentions, she let the world know what was really worthwhile. Mikaela freely shared her love with those around her, with huge hugs, kisses, and the more than occasional "plop down in your lap (On Mikaela's Village Memorial Website)." 

The S.F. Gate quoted Mike Dowling, Mikaela's godfather as saying she had an "ever-present smile" and was "Extremely gregarious. Just a great laugh, a fantastic laugh (Source)."

Links about Mikaela Lynch: 

Memorial Website: Mikaela's Village 

Blogs: Lives Lost to Autism Blog 

Special Condolences: Autism Speaks 

News:

• Search for Mikaela Lynch Ends Tragically

• Body of Missing Girl, 9, Found in Cache Creek

• Missing S.F. Autistic Girl Found Dead

• Video of News Story on Recovery of Body