A new alert system called the Ian Alert has officially been launched in Kentucky to help locate missing children with autism or mental illness. The system was created in memory of Ian Sousis, a nine-year-old boy with autism who drowned in the Ohio River after running away from a children’s home in June 2022.
Who the Ian Alert Is Designed For
The Ian Alert is tailored to children aged 18 and below with a diagnosed mental illness reported missing under circumstances indicating that they may be in harm’s way, WLWT reported. To make the alert system a reality, a bill approved in the legislature was signed into law by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear in July 2025, according to the report.
Ian’s grandmother, Rhonda O’Brien, spent the previous two years pushing for an alert system that would fill the gap between usual alerts and the special danger posed by children with autism.
Why the Ian Alert Matters
The Ian Alert, the report says, seeks to end a disturbing trend; children with autism, reportedly, are attracted to bodies of water, and drowning is the number one cause of death among children on the spectrum.
The report further included that the current Amber Alert system did not include some instances involving children with intellectual disabilities.
Boone County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Phillip Ridgell explained to WLWT that Ian Alert will provide them with a stronger tool to respond quickly when a child with autism goes missing. He further explained that the system allows for sending mass notifications other than traditional ones.
Ian Alert Uses Amber Alert Infrastructure
From another WDRB report, Ian Alert utilizes the same alert infrastructure as that of Amber Alert, enabling authorities to alert smartphones, media, traffic signs and others.
The WLWT report cited Steve Hensley, Director of Kenton County Emergency Management, saying that the system had the capability to send alerts to entire counties within minutes. “It fills a critical gap in emergency response,” Hensley further added.
First Use of Ian Alert Ends in Tragedy
The WDRB reported that on July 16, Kentucky put out an Ian Alert for Silas Chearer, a five-year-old who had disappeared from home in Cub Run, Hart County. Silas was autistic and wandered off about 8 a.m. But he was later discovered dead.
A Kentucky State Police official told the publication that the Ian Alert is in place to avoid such tragedies. They continued that they are mourning his death with Silas’ family and the community.
Ashanti Alert Also Implemented for Missing Adults
In addition to the Ian Alert, Kentucky also implemented the Ashanti Alert for missing adults who are 18 years and older whose disappearance is thought to be involuntary. According to the WDRB report, it was named after Billie Ashanti, a Virginia woman who was kidnapped and subsequently discovered dead in 2017. Billie was 19 years old during the incident and therefore not qualified for an Amber Alert.
In addition to the Ian Alert, Kentucky has also established the Ashanti Alert for missing adults 18 and older whose disappearance is suspected to be non-consensual. It is named for Billie Ashanti, a Virginia woman who was kidnapped and subsequently found murdered in 2017. She was 19 years old and therefore not eligible for an Amber Alert.
FAQs
Q: What is the Ian Alert?
It is an emergency alert issued in Kentucky for missing children under 18 with autism, intellectual disabilities, or mental illness.
Q: Why is it called the Ian Alert?
It is named after Ian Sousis, a 9-year-old with autism who drowned after fleeing a children’s home in 2022.
Q: How is it different from an Amber Alert?
Ian Alerts cover cases involving children with disabilities who may not meet the Amber Alert criteria but are still at risk.
Q: Is this alert active statewide?
Yes, it is fully operational across Kentucky as of July 2025.
