The tragic death of an 11-year-old Eden Prairie boy on Oct. 20 — the second child drowning in the Twin Cities’ western suburbs this year — has prompted action intended to give parents peace of mind.
Mohamed Mohamed, a nonverbal child with autism, drowned in a pond near his home on Cardiff Lane. In June, 4-year-old Waeys Ali Mohamed, who also had autism, drowned in Minnehaha Creek in Hopkins. Both children had wandered from their homes undetected.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.” The condition typically appears in early childhood, with symptoms that vary widely in severity and impact.
An event scheduled for this Saturday in Eden Prairie is expected by advocates to be a significant step toward preventing similar tragedies among children with autism.
Sheletta Brundidge, a mother of three children with autism and a prominent advocate, will be at the Fraser Autism Center, 7615 Golden Triangle Drive, Suite A, in Eden Prairie, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. She plans to donate 100 specially designed locks for securing door handles to help prevent children from leaving home unnoticed. Each lock comes with its own combination.
Brundidge, a resident of Cottage Grove, describes herself as “a mama on a mission.”
“Besides the families of the two boys in Eden Prairie and Hopkins, I have met with families in Boston and Houston,” she said.
Brundidge noted that the Buoan Smart Door Lock is available on Amazon, and she has collaborated with local law enforcement to familiarize authorities with the locks.
“Our command staff has been in contact with her and is exploring her program,” said Eden Prairie spokesperson Joyce Lorenz. “The police department currently refers parents with vulnerable children to the Autism Society of Minnesota for resources and information to help keep their children safe.”
“For some reason, autistic children are often attracted to water, whether it’s a lake, river, pond or even the bathtub,” said Brundidge. “With these locks, a parent or guardian can step away briefly to shower, do laundry or get the mail without worrying that their child might leave the house unattended.”
To learn more about Brundidge, her services and the locks, visit shelettamakesmelaugh.com.
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