KAYMANIA CATTA - 6 yo(Autistic) - Hampton VA

Police search for missing 6-year-old child in Hampton who has autism



Kaymania Serenity Catta

9:47 p.m. EDT, September 7, 2011
Hampton Police are searching for Kaymania Serenity Catta, a
6-year-old girl with autism who went missing earlier tonight. She is
unable to speak.

She is from the Triton and North Lake Loop area. Her family is new to the area.

Catta is described as a black female who has medium-light skin. She
stands 4-feet tall, slim-build and is approximately 50lbs. She was last
seen wearing a black Hello Kitty t-shirt and white and purple striped
shorts. Calls came in at approximately 5:45 p.m. about the missing
child.


If you have any information, please call Hampton Police at 757-727-6111 or Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
http://www.wtkr.com/news/wtkr-police-search-for-missing-5yearold-autistic-child-in-hampton-20110907,0,1993094.story

HAMPTON -- The body of a missing 5-year-old girl with autism has been
found in a lake about two blocks from her home, officials on the scene
tell 13News.

Kaymania Serenity Catta, who is called "K. K.", was reported missing around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Her family said she couldn't speak and didn't know the area because
the family just moved to Triton Way in the Westview Lakes neighborhood.

Va. State Police dive teams suited up Thursday to search the lake where she was found.

Hampton police and fire personnel, along with Newport News Police,
military agencies, were joined by the FBI and the state Emergency
Management search-and-rescue teams.

Police also said the Center for Missing and Exploited Children was sending people to provide logistical support.

Spokeswoman Patty Davis told WVEC.com that personnel had been sent, but they had not arrived Thursday morning.

Authorities also said an expert from Michigan was flying in and that
person had consulted with authorities about a search plan for Thrusday
morning.

"K.K." was wearing a black shirt with "Hello Kitty" written on it and
purple shorts with white stripes. She was not wearing shoes.

Wednesday night, several airmen from Langley Air Force Base were
searching the area, hoping to find the little girl. Her father is
stationed at the Hampton base.

Members of the Hampton Police dive team searched one of the lakes in
the area. Other officers were out on ATVs in the woods, while Fire and
Rescue used thermal imaging equipment.

"You've got people that have been out looking in the neighborhoods
directly adjacent to us, the neighborhoods that are behind us. You've
got a lot of people out," said neighbor Sherrie Turner. "People were
just so willing to immediately stop what they were doing and try to
assist."

Turner is one of countless members of the community who joined the search effort.

"I think just because everybody's heart went out, especially
identifying that the child was autistic and some of the neighbors were
aware of the child, and, so, it was just an immediate response to get
involved and then see what we can do," Turner told 13News. "We're just
gonna be on pins and needles until we find some resolution."
http://www.wvec.com/home/Hampton-police-search-for-missing-autistic-girl-129423753.html

Posting to Unresolved until heinous activity is ruled out

TomTerrific0420 wrote:Posting to Unresolved until heinous activity is ruled out

Terribly sad outcome Tom. It's so common though that I'm starting to wonder if these children wouldn't be better off being cared for in a secure facility, as parents seem unable to keep them from wandering off. It only takes one moment of distraction and they're gone with usually fatal results.

kiwimom wrote:

TomTerrific0420 wrote:Posting to Unresolved until heinous activity is ruled out

Terribly sad outcome Tom. It's so common though that I'm starting to wonder if these children wouldn't be better off being cared for in a secure facility, as parents seem unable to keep them from wandering off. It only takes one moment of distraction and they're gone with usually fatal results.

---My cousin has an autistic boy, Tommy, who is turning 18 and they are having a terrible time deciding if he would be better in a group home environment.
For some, I suppose the ankle GPS transmitter that many parents have started using, is helpful but certainly not the concrete answer.

TomTerrific0420 wrote:

kiwimom wrote:

TomTerrific0420 wrote:Posting to Unresolved until heinous activity is ruled out

Terribly sad outcome Tom. It's so common though that I'm starting to wonder if these children wouldn't be better off being cared for in a secure facility, as parents seem unable to keep them from wandering off. It only takes one moment of distraction and they're gone with usually fatal results.

---My cousin has an autistic boy, Tommy, who is turning 18 and they are having a terrible time deciding if he would be better in a group home environment.
For some, I suppose the ankle GPS transmitter that many parents have started using, is helpful but certainly not the concrete answer.

We've had 2 cases where the transmitter didn't work. I hope it doesn't give parents a false sense of safety. What a tough decision for your cousin. Maybe they could try the home to see how Tommy gets on. He might love it, you never know.