After death of boy with autism, Miami special needs group sees rise in crisis calls

May 25--One Miami-Dade nonprofit says it is experiencing an uptick in calls from parents of children with special needs who are in crisis after the death this week of a 9-year-old boy who had autism.

The death of Alejandro Ripley -- who police say was murdered when his mother , Patricia Ripley, pushed the boy into a canal -- has rippled throughout the special needs community in Miami, according to Rabbi Yossi Harlig, co-director of Friendship Circle Miami. The organization's main program pairs children with developmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome, with children who do not have disabilities.

"One of the concerns is that when someone acts like that, it could trigger other people. You never know," Harlig said. "Typical families are feeling overwhelmed. Imagine if you're raising a child with special needs."

Harlig added that Friendship Circle Miami is considering creating a hotline service specifically for families with children of special needs so they can call when they feel distressed. The organization is looking into other services as well, such as group therapy or childcare centers.

He stressed that parents of children with special needs have been especially affected by stay-at-home measures in the state, leaving some parents with no choice but to quit their jobs to care for their children.

"One thing that people always tell us is that they feel very isolated and alone, and there's nowhere to turn to," Harlig said. "One of the big things that people need is respite...to have a place where they can drop off their child for a few hours and they can take a break."

Patricia Ripley, 47, of West Kendall, admitted to leading her child into a canal on May 21, after initially claiming that he had been kidnapped. Authorities confronted Ripley with video evidence and later arrested her on a charge of first-degree murder. Details later surfaced indicating Ripley tried to drown Alejandro earlier in the day, but was stopped by a good Samaritan who rescued the boy from the water.

Harlig said anyone who cares for a person with special needs and feels they are in crisis can temporarily reach the organization at 305-234-5654.

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