**Tragic Loss: Community Mourns After 13-Year-Old Autistic Boy Found in Irrigation Canal**
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In an unsettling incident that has left a community in mourning, Josiah Chiago, a 13-year-old boy with autism, was discovered deceased in an irrigation canal in Mesa, Arizona, on July 12. The boy’s disappearance, which lasted only a few hours, has raised awareness about the increased risks facing children with autism, particularly in water-related incidents.
Josiah was visiting his father, Marcus Chiago, on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Reservation when he chose to play near an irrigation canal. He was last seen around 8:30 p.m. local time, prompting an immediate response from local law enforcement. The Salt River Police Department, Mesa Police Department, and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office all took part in the search efforts.
His mother, Brittni Flynn, was informed of her son’s absence shortly after. In a desperate bid to gather assistance, she took to social media, urging local residents to help find Josiah. “I jumped on live really quickly because I know people in Lehi; I wanted people to go outside,” Flynn recounted. “It was pitch black… No mother wants to say check for my son in the water.”
Sadly, less than two hours later, Josiah’s body was located in the canal around 10 p.m. Flynn explained that the current, which she gauged to be only three or four inches deep, had carried him a distance of approximately two blocks. When authorities contacted her with the grim news, she said she already knew what had happened. “In that moment, I was just screaming, because in my heart I knew,” she shared.
The heartache of losing a child has become more prevalent in discussions regarding autism and safety. Flynn spoke candidly about the heightened risk children with autism face concerning drowning. The National Autism Association (NAA) has reported that children within this demographic are 160 times more likely to drown than those without autism. Moreover, accidental drowning has been cited as the cause of 71% of deaths among children in the autism community.
Reflecting on her son’s vibrant spirit, Flynn described Josiah as a “very special boy” who had an innate love for life. “He wanted to get on stage and be in the show; he just loved it,” she recounted, emphasising the joy he brought into their lives.
As an outpouring of support continued for the family, a GoFundMe campaign was established to assist Flynn and her loved ones during this difficult time. To date, the initiative has raised over £6,000. The accompanying message on the fundraising page highlighted Josiah’s infectious laughter and warm disposition, stating, “His warmth and infectious joy touched the lives of all who knew him, and his memory will forever be cherished.”
A funeral service is scheduled for July 23 at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Reservation to honour Josiah’s memory and celebrate his life.
This tragic incident serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing need for education and awareness regarding the unique vulnerabilities faced by children with autism. The Chiago family’s heartbreak has sparked conversations on prioritising safety measures around bodies of water and the importance of keeping children close.
Members of the community are coming together in grief, showing support for Flynn and her family while reflecting on the preciousness of life. As they navigate through this profound loss, the call for heightened vigilance and compassion towards children in similar circumstances becomes increasingly clear.
While the Chiago family faces an irreparable loss, they are comforted by the memories and love shared with Josiah. The echoes of his laughter will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, serving as a cherished reminder to hold loved ones close and advocate for the safety of all children.