jerseygirl-That is highly possible.
I still think it was an accident.
This is so terribly sad. I raised this question early on. If someone such as Avonte had no means to communicate, why wasn't he wearing a monitoring bracelet, etc. so he could be tracked if he disappeared or wandered off?
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
^^^Is that a common thing? I mean, if they don't have terribly stringent security in his school, I wouldn't think high-tech monitoring bracelets would be the norm, but I don't know.
Perhaps, with luck, some changes might be made as a result of this unfortunate tragedy.
I am not sure in his case, but none of the kids I know wear them. They are not the norm at all.
#1, they are pretty expensive and have to be kept dry and such, which is really difficult with a low functioning child.
#2, many kids on the spectrum can't handle wearing bracelets or ankle bands because of sensory issues.
^Thanks for the info. It would be nice if someone could come up with something to prevent these tragedies.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
The underwear issue aside (and it is true that I don't know what to make of that), I do think this was a tragic accident. All this gruesome talk of him being dismembered...not to put too fine a point on it, but if that did happen, his bones will show signs of it.
I'm sorry that this was his end, but at least he is no longer missing.
I also didn't realize that someone had seen him by the river after he had disappeared (according to the article I read in the NY Times).
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
It goes beyond eyewitnesses, Dottie. Police dogs followed Avonte's scent to the edge of the water, according to accounts I've read.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Sad sad sad indeed. At least there's some closure for the family. I remember getting anxious every time there was a train delay, thinking "oh no, I hope it isn't that poor kid."
Heartbreaking and beautiful article about Avonte.
The Boy Who Ran: The Life and Death of Avonte Oquendo
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