After the death of an autistic 6-year-old boy in Pennsylvania this month, a state representative is planning to introduce a new alert system dedicated to missing people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The legislation, proposed by Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia) , would create a “Purple Alert” system throughout Pennsylvania.

Dubbed “Aiden’s Law,” the proposed alert system would honor Aiden Ha, a 6-year-old nonverbal autistic boy who went missing in Columbia County on Oct. 4. A day later, he was found dead in the Susquehanna River .

Leadbeter said a specialized alert system could have contributed to the multi-agency search effort by distributing the boy’s picture, description and last known location.

“When a loved one with disability goes missing, every minute bec

See Full Page