Chrystal Venator is calling on the New Brunswick and federal governments to improve emergency alerts for vulnerable people. “That could be my son. That could be my family. And honestly, seeing somebody living your worst nightmare, it’s just devastating,” she said. She is speaking out after the death of 11-year-old Parker Wells, an autistic boy from Calgary who went missing from his day home on July 16. His body was found on July 29 in a small pipe in the city’s northeast area. An Amber Alert was not sent out until more than 48 hours after his disappearance. Venator wants that system to change, and for provincial and federal governments to introduce a vulnerable persons emergency alert system. “We know when someone goes missing, that time is very critical,” Venator said. Her son is the same age as Parker and is autistic and non-verbal. Despite safety precautions, he’s escaped the house before. “When you’re calling his name and searching for him, it’s a terrifying feeling that’s hard to put into words,” she said. She’s not the only one calling for improvements with emergency alert systems. A Change.org petition proposing an “At Risk Alert” for vulnerable people has garnered more than 29,000 signatures. Jen Ball founded the petition and has a seven-year-old son who has autism. She is encouraged by political leaders like Official Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre advocating for changes with the alerts. “This is something that is very close to home for a bunch of other leaders that have autistic children,” she said. Venator said her son uses a Project Lifesaver radio frequency tracking bracelet, and has since he was three years old. She wants to see access to the resource expanded. “Ideally, we would love to see Project Lifesaver available to any family that could use it,” she said. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
