Tragedy struck in Boise, Idaho, when a festive day turned mournful as a nonverbal autistic child, Matthew Glynn, aged five, was discovered dead in a canal close to his home, after wandering from his birthday celebration.

Matthew vanished on the evening of August 5, 2024, near Alamosa and State Street. Known for his love of water, Matthew was last seen around 6 p.m., dressed in Batman pajamas and without shoes. The following day, his body was discovered submerged in a canal roughly half a mile from his residence, despite immediate search efforts after his disappearance.

Boise Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer resonated with the community’s sorrow, stating, “Sadly, this is not the outcome we were all hoping for. Our hearts go out to Matthew’s family, and we extend our deepest condolences during this incredibly difficult time.” The Farmer’s Union Canal, where the body was eventually found, was a crucial focus in the search due to Matthew’s attraction to water.

The search operation, which started not long after Matthew was reported missing, was a joint effort by the Boise Police Department, Boise Fire Department, and Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue. The teams employed drones, K9 units, and UTVs to comb the area, and even broadcasted Matthew’s favorite nursery rhyme, “Wheels on the Bus,” over loudspeakers to try and lure him.

The Ada County Coroner later confirmed that Matthew’s death was due to accidental drowning. There was no evidence of foul play, and the investigation concluded that the incident was an unfortunate accident.

The incident underscores the risks faced by autistic children, particularly nonverbal ones prone to wandering, also known as elopement behavior. Matthew’s fondness for water and his communication challenges escalated the risk. Autism experts point out that these children have a significantly increased risk of drowning due to their fascination with water and tendency to stray from safe confines.

Matthew’s disappearance triggered a wave of support from the Boise community. A Code Red alert was sent to residents within an eight-mile radius, urging them to search for the missing boy. Numerous volunteers joined the search, and the local community provided overwhelming support to Matthew’s family during the distressing period before his body was discovered.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Boise Police Department has urged residents to register for Code Red alerts to stay updated during emergencies. The unfortunate incident involving Matthew Glynn has underscored the particular vulnerabilities of children with autism and the crucial role of community vigilance and support.