10 year old Autistic boy drowns at residential facility

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State begins probe at disability facility

Officials investigating after boy got out unescorted and drowned

ADAM BELL, SHARIF DURHAMS GAIL SMITH-ARRANTS

Staff Writers

The mother of an autistic 10-year-old boy visited staff members

responsible for her son's care Monday, a day after the child wandered

from a care facility and drowned in a nearby creek.

State regulators also launched an investigation of the child's death

at the home just northeast of the Mecklenburg-Cabarrus county line.

In a preliminary report, medical examiners determined the child's

cause of death was accidental drowning and that his autism was a

contributing factor.

Cabarrus County investigators wrapped up a separate criminal

investigation of the RHA Howell Care Center-Clear Creek facility

Monday afternoon.

" The focus of our investigation is whether there was any intentional

harm to the child, " said Detective Bobby Bonds of the Cabarrus County

Sheriff's Office. " Obviously, that's not the case. "

Deputies identified the boy Monday as Parrish . His

family lives in the Charlotte area, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies honored the wishes of 's mother by not releasing the

mother's name or saying specifically where she's from.

Family members and the facility's staff and residents received grief

counseling Monday.

The state investigation will likely examine how the center monitors

residents and review the child's individual care plan and whether it

was followed, said Jim , a spokesman for the N.C. Department of

Health and Human Services.

http://www.charlotte.com/local/story/467453.html