Found Deceased OH - Joshua Al-Lateef Jr, 6, Autistic, Non-Verbal, may not respond, last seen 5:30pm near home on Wyndtree Dr, West Chester, 20 Nov 2024

[Deleted member 296739]

I had this typed well before it was public; am I allowed to post this prior to it being announced?
"Someone in a local nextdoor group posted one of the S&R groups found him deceased, trying to find a confirmation. ugh."

This would have been deleted if I posted it before MSM, even if it was verifiable on my end, correct?

Yes, per TOS if it’s rumor on social media, then we need to wait for MSM or LE confirmation before posting

 

[tlcya]

oh no

Body of missing West Chester 6-year-old found​

The body of 6-year-old Joshua Al-Lateef Jr. was found around 9 p.m. Thursday in a pond near the apartment building where he lived, according to West Chester officials.

 

[tlcya]

His older brother called 911 and reported him missing Wednesday after he was last seen around 5:30 p.m., according to a recording of the call released to FOX19 NOW and police.
Crews find body of missing 6-year-old boy

prayers for this family

 

[Deleted member 296739]

So sad for the family

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Candlelight vigil held for missing 6-year-old West Chester boy found dead in pond

Hundreds of volunteers searched for the little boy amid the snow and wind.

www.local12.com

*****
There was a vigil on Friday night for 6-year-old Joshua Al-Lateef. A small group of folks went back to light a candle in memory of the little boy. Almost all of them were there on Thursday when they learned about the tragic conclusion. A day later, a handful of them regrouped to remember him.

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EmPath for Autism, a resource for families with kids affected by autism, was moved by Joshua's story. They're giving away free bracelets that hold Apple AirTags or Tiles to help know their child's location. Those bracelets are available simply by filling out a request form. EmPath's treasurer said that they're getting eight to 10 requests a minute.
If you would like to request one or donate to help the nonprofit supply them to others, click here.

 

[IceIce9]

West Chester community rallies behind family of 6-year-old child who died

During this week of giving, strangers are lending a helping hand, honoring a little boy who brought so many people together.

www.wlwt.com

He's not the only local business stepping up. A funeral home has offered to cover the service expenses for Al-Lateef's family. Mz Jade's Soul-Food has arranged for meals to be delivered to the family, and there are so many other examples of strangers lending a hand.

The entire community is coming together when Joshua's family needs it most.

“I spoke with the father at the vigil, and he had told me that him and the mother aren't going to be working for a while, so it's going to be something that's going to help them a lot,” Mel said

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Mom of West Chester boy who drowned to serve on Ohio missing persons group

Joshua Al-Lateef Jr. was found dead near his West Chester home hours after he was reported missing in November.

www.cincinnati.com

January 13, 2025

Jonisa Cook, mother of Joshua Al-Lateef Jr., will be part of a statewide group aimed at improving Ohio's response to missing persons cases.

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Cook is one of several members of the state's new Missing Persons Working Group, announced Monday by Gov. Mike DeWine. The group will review Ohio's resources and responses for both adult and juvenile missing persons cases, according to a press release.

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After his death, Joshua's family launched a petition to create the "Joshua Alert," a system similar to an Amber Alert for children on the autism spectrum who go missing. That petition has over 14,000 signatures.

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DeWine appoints missing persons working group in response to Dispatch investigation

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday named 23 people to a working group to examine missing persons cases.

www.dispatch.com

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“Every life is valuable, which is why it is important to take these cases seriously,” DeWine said in the release. “I’ve asked this group to examine different components of missing persons investigations to determine if the process can be improved."

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Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, will lead the group, which will meet for the first time at 1 p.m. Jan. 23 at the department's headquarters. Meetings will be open to the public and the group is expected to issue recommendations at the end of April, according to the governor's office.

 

[feels_close_to_home]

Mom of West Chester boy who drowned to serve on Ohio missing persons group

Joshua Al-Lateef Jr. was found dead near his West Chester home hours after he was reported missing in November.

www.cincinnati.com

January 13, 2025

Jonisa Cook, mother of Joshua Al-Lateef Jr., will be part of a statewide group aimed at improving Ohio's response to missing persons cases.

*****
Cook is one of several members of the state's new Missing Persons Working Group, announced Monday by Gov. Mike DeWine. The group will review Ohio's resources and responses for both adult and juvenile missing persons cases, according to a press release.

*****
After his death, Joshua's family launched a petition to create the "Joshua Alert," a system similar to an Amber Alert for children on the autism spectrum who go missing. That petition has over 14,000 signatures.

*******************************************************************

DeWine appoints missing persons working group in response to Dispatch investigation

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday named 23 people to a working group to examine missing persons cases.

www.dispatch.com

*****
“Every life is valuable, which is why it is important to take these cases seriously,” DeWine said in the release. “I’ve asked this group to examine different components of missing persons investigations to determine if the process can be improved."

*****
Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, will lead the group, which will meet for the first time at 1 p.m. Jan. 23 at the department's headquarters. Meetings will be open to the public and the group is expected to issue recommendations at the end of April, according to the governor's office.

This case made me finally sign up for Cincinnati S&R. Going to the first meeting/training session next month!

 

[Unalienable Rights]

West Chester boy's death inspires emergency alert bill to protect Ohio kids with autism

After a 6-year-old boy with autism drowned in West Chester, his family advocated for changes to protect other missing kids.

www.cincinnati.com

November 12, 2025

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Joshua's family wants to save other children from the same fate. To that end, the Ohio House of Representatives passed the Joshua Alert law unanimously on Nov. 12. The proposed law heads to the Ohio Senate for consideration.

Also known as House Bill 359, the proposed law would require local law enforcement to notify the statewide emergency alert program immediately if a child diagnosed with autism or another developmental disability goes missing. A Change.org petition advocating for the change had 16,000 supporters.

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"Joshua’s life was filled with love and light. And though he is no longer physically with us, I believe that his legacy can live on through this bill − through the lives it saves and the families it supports," Cook (Joshua's mom) told lawmakers during a hearing on the proposed law. Cook was in the Ohio House of Representatives' chamber as the bill passed on Nov. 12, and several lawmakers thanked her for her advocacy.

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