A 10-year-old autistic boy wandered away from a long-term care facility in Cabarrus County on Sunday. He later died from an accidental drowning.
CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. – The medical examiner in Cabarrus County says the 10-year-old autistic boy who wandered away from a long-term care facility, died of an accidental drowning.
Police released his name, Brandon Parrish Johnson, on Monday. The boy was a client at the RHA Howell Center on the Cabarrus County/Mecklenburg County line.
On Sunday, the boy wandered away from the facility on Howell Center Drive. He was found an hour and half later in a stream that feeds into a small pond adjacent to the property. The staff worker that found Johnson initiated CPR. EMS officials then transported him to Carolinas Medical Center-University where he later died.
The Howell Center has never had an accident like that happen in its 30-year history. They have facilities located across the state. The president of the center, Sam Hedrick, says it’s a difficult time for the entire staff at the Howell Center.
"It's very hard because even though he was like family, they have to continue working," said Hedrick. She says the boy’s mother was very involved with his care. She and the rest of the Howell Care staff are grieving together.
Grief counselors will be on hand all week to help the staff and clients deal with the loss. Dr. Blair Bryan, a former pediatrician at the Howell Center, was also there on Monday helping the staff cope.
"Those that are involved with his care that particular day are going to feel a lot of guilt. Those that were not here that day are going to have the same questions of, 'Why did this happen when we thought we were prepared for it,'" said Dr. Bryan.
Hedrick says they’ve reviewed surveillance video, and they think Johnson may have followed an animal to the water.
The Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office says their investigation is just about complete. It’s likely the Department of Social Services and the state will conduct its own investigation. There’s no word on if any charges will be filed.
No matter how the accident happened however, both Dr. Bryan and Hedrick say they want everyone to know that it was not done intentionally and that they’re going to be grieving for a long time over the loss.
"No one does anything intentionally. It occurred and we have to deal with the process that occurs from now," concluded Dr. Bryan.