AngelSense Helps LA Family Find Missing Son with Autism Within Minutes
July 1, 2016
A post by AngelSense, a GPS & voice monitoring solution designed for children with special needs.
Learn more about how AngelSense’s GPS tracking device brings peace of mind to parents and keeps children safe
What started off as a typical Saturday almost ended in tragedy for this Los Angeles special needs family. Last week, Cris and Paul Houghtaling were 20 minutes into their exercise routine at a local gym when they were informed by an employee that Julian, their non-verbal child with autism, was nowhere to be found. This despite the fact that the couple pays an additional $30 per month for the child care service on offer at the gym.
This isn’t the first time Julian has wandered from a place. After he was found wandering around the parking lot near the gym a few weeks prior to this incident, the couple purchased the AngelSense GPS tracking device to help them monitor their child’s location in real time. In fact, it’s thanks to the AngelSense app that the couple was able to locate their child so quickly.
Tragedy averted thanks to AngelSense
As soon as the Houghtalings were informed that their son had disappeared they got into their car and turned the app on. According to the AngelSense app, their son was 0.7 miles away and had crossed a busy street before wandering into someone’s garden. When Julian’s dad got there, he was safe and sound and sitting at the back of a sheriff’s car. His parents were relieved. “Thank God he was safe; I was so relieved to find him,” said Houghtaling. It’s thanks to the AngelSense GPS tracker that the couple was able to track and find their son so quickly.
A painful reminder for all special needs families
As relieved as we are that Julian is safe and back home with his family, it’s important to remember that not all wandering stories have a happy ending. This story and the many wandering tragedies serve as a painful reminder to all special needs families that you can’t rely on anyone to keep your special child safe. For many in the autism community, stories like this are a reminder of Avonte Oquendo, a 14-year old with autism, who drowned following his elopement from his New York City school.
While initiatives like Kevin and Avonte’s Law could do a lot to keep our special children safe, more still needs to be done.That’s why in the fight to protect our special children from the dangers of wandering, GPS tracking devices are essential. Devices like AngelSense enable parents to monitor their child’s whereabouts in real time, making it easier to find them should they wander.
AngelSense is committed to creating a safer world for special needs children. We designed the AngelSense GPS tracking solution to give parents the peace of mind that their child is safe at all times. You deserve peace of mind too. Try AngelSense Today.
