A day of joy in Boise, Idaho, took a tragic turn when a five-year-old nonverbal autistic child, Matthew Glynn, was found dead in a nearby canal, having wandered from his birthday party.
On the evening of August 5, 2024, Matthew went missing from an area near Alamosa and State Street. The young boy, known for his interest in water, disappeared around 6 p.m., clad in his Batman pajamas and barefoot. Despite swift attempts to find him, his body was discovered the next day, August 6, submerged in the Farmer’s Union Canal, roughly half a mile from his home.
The community’s sorrow was echoed by Boise Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer, who stated, “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 canal, given Matthew’s known affinity for water, had been a focal point of the extensive search.
The search for Matthew, initiated shortly after he was reported missing, involved a joint effort from multiple agencies, including the Boise Police Department, Boise Fire Department, and Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue. The teams employed various resources such as drones, K9 units, and UTVs to cover the area. To appeal to Matthew, rescuers played his favorite nursery rhyme, “Wheels on the Bus,” through loudspeakers.
Despite comprehensive search efforts, the outcome was sadly not as hoped. The Ada County Coroner later determined Matthew’s death to be due to accidental drowning. There were no indications of foul play and the investigation concluded that it was a tragic accident.
This tragic event underscores the inherent risks faced by autistic children, particularly nonverbal individuals who may exhibit elopement behavior, or a tendency to wander. Matthew’s attraction to water, coupled with his inability to communicate, amplified the danger. Experts have observed that autistic children face a significantly elevated risk of drowning due to their attraction to water and the likelihood of straying from safe areas.
The Boise community showed a surge of support following Matthew’s disappearance. Residents within an eight-mile radius received a Code Red alert, encouraging them to keep an eye out for the missing boy. Volunteers joined the search, and the local community rallied to support Matthew’s family in the harrowing hours leading up to the discovery of his body.
The Boise Police Department has urged residents to sign up for Code Red alerts to stay informed during emergencies. The unfortunate loss of Matthew Glynn serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities of children with autism and the crucial role of community vigilance and support.
