Memorial held for Draven Graham, 11-year-old found dead in Scugog River
Posted June 17, 2022 11:51 pm.
Last Updated June 17, 2022 11:54 pm.
A candlelight vigil was held in Lindsay, Ont., on Friday evening to commemorate the life of an 11-year-old autistic boy who was found dead earlier this week.
The vigil for Draven Graham was held at Rivera Park, along the Scugog River near Lindsay and Colborne streets, and dozens were on hand to observe a moment of silence, sing songs, place flowers in the river, and etch messages on the sidewalk.
“It’s so hard,” said Draven’s grandfather Dave Corman, who sang a rendition of Amazing Grace during the evening. “He was an incredible child. He just wanted hugs from me.”
Several people brought stuffed animals and toys to place at a memorial setup in the park. Attendees were also encouraged to bring a candle to light in Graham’s memory.
Kawartha Lakes Police confirmed the death of Graham on Monday when the boy’s body was found in the Scugog River after he was reported missing a day earlier.
Police say no foul play is suspected in the boy’s death.
Calls for officials to implement alert system for missing vulnerable people
The sudden disappearance and death of Graham has raised concerns from community members, with some calling for an alert system for missing or vulnerable youths with disabilities.
“I don’t want another family to have to go through this,” says Corman.
Graham was an autistic person and investigators say he had a sensory irritation to touch, which is common in autistic people.
One Hamilton woman behind a petition on Change.Org says more awareness is needed to help quickly track down “missing autistic and vulnerable children with special needs.” She referred to it as the “Draven Alert.”
Corman tells CityNews he would like to see another system setup, on top of the Amber Alert system for incidences of abduction.
“I found it very hard to understand because of the circumstances and the way he went missing, it could have easily been an abduction,” he says. “I don’t criticize them for that, I criticize the system.”
The petition for the “Draven Alert” has garnered over 70,000 signatures as of Friday evening, with a new goal of 75,000.
With files from Lucas Casaletto
