MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Missing Teen Inspires Saturday Safety Event That Provides Free Door Locks for Children With Autism

ST. PAUL, MN (July 10, 2026)

A frightening incident involving a missing 15-year-old autistic teenager in St. Paul has become the catalyst for a community effort focused on preventing similar emergencies before they happen.

On Saturday morning, families raising children with autism will have an opportunity to receive free interior combination door locks designed to help prevent children who are prone to wandering from leaving home unnoticed. The event is being organized by autism advocate, broadcaster, and nonprofit founder Sheletta Brundidge through her organization, ShelettaMakesADifference.org, and will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 N. Kent Street in St. Paul.

Brundidge will distribute 100 free interior combination locks to parents and guardians of children on the autism spectrum. The locks can be programmed with six to ten-digit access codes and are intended to provide families with an additional layer of protection inside the home.

The giveaway comes just two weeks after a 15-year-old nonverbal autistic teenager from St. Paul was reported missing. The disappearance prompted an extensive search before the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension announced that the teenager had been located safely two days later.

While the story ended with relief for the child's family and the community, Brundidge says it also served as another reminder of how quickly a child can wander away and how devastating the consequences can become.

"This time the child came home safely," Brundidge has said. "But unfortunately, these stories do not always end that way."

A Seasonal Safety Concern

For many families affected by autism, summer introduces challenges that are different from those experienced during the school year.

Children spend more time outdoors, routines become less predictable, and increased activity can create sensory overload. Those changes can increase the likelihood that some children will leave a home or other safe environment unexpectedly, a behavior often referred to as "elopement" or wandering.

Brundidge, who is widely known as "The Autism Mom," understands those concerns firsthand. She is the mother of three children on the autism spectrum and says interior combination locks have played an important role in helping keep her own family safe.

She refers to summer as "the drowning season," noting that warmer weather often coincides with an increase in wandering incidents involving autistic children.

"When that overstimulation happens and they get extra excited," Brundidge explained, "the next thing you know, they dart out of the house."

Why Wandering Is Such a Serious Issue

According to the National Autism Association, wandering is one of the most significant safety concerns facing families of children with autism.

Research cited by the organization indicates that approximately half of children diagnosed with autism attempt to leave a safe environment at some point. Many children who wander are unable to communicate their names, addresses, or emergency contact information, making searches especially urgent.

The danger is compounded by another troubling reality.

Many autistic children are naturally attracted to water because of its calming sensory qualities. As a result, the National Autism Association reports that children with autism face a dramatically elevated risk of drowning compared with children who are not on the spectrum.

For parents and caregivers, even a few seconds can make the difference between a close call and a tragedy.

Safety experts therefore encourage families to think about prevention rather than relying solely on emergency response after a child has already left home.

More Than Locks

Although the free locks are the centerpiece of Saturday's event, organizers hope families leave with more than just new hardware.

The gathering will also include safety education and opportunities for parents to connect with others facing similar challenges. Children attending with their families can enjoy free ice cream, face painting, and balloon animals, creating an atmosphere intended to be welcoming rather than stressful.

The combination of practical resources and community support reflects Brundidge's broader mission of helping families affected by autism navigate everyday challenges while reducing preventable risks.

Event Information

Interior Combination Lock Giveaway

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Location:
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
270 N. Kent Street
St. Paul, MN 55102

Families will find:

• Free interior combination door locks (while supplies last)
• Autism safety information and tips
• Ice cream
• Face painting
• Balloon animals

The locks will be available to parents and guardians of children on the autism spectrum until the supply of 100 locks has been exhausted.

The Bigger Picture

Every successful search for a missing child is worth celebrating. Yet each incident also raises difficult questions about how future emergencies can be prevented.

Saturday's giveaway is rooted in that philosophy.

Rather than waiting for another missing child alert, organizers hope a relatively simple device installed inside a home can provide parents with additional peace of mind and give children one more layer of protection.

For families living with autism, safety often depends on preparation long before an emergency begins.

For more information about the event or the work of Sheletta Brundidge's nonprofit, visit ShelettaMakesADifference.org.

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