HENDRICKS COUNTY, Ind. -- A small device could mean the difference between life and death when a person with a cognitive disorder goes missing.
Hendricks County's "Project Lifesaver" wants to get the word out about its wristband to help keep tabs on loved family members.
Jackie Copeland is one of the people in support of the program.
Copeland's oldest son suffers from seizures, autism and a sensory processing disorder. So when Copeland heard he was missing, she feared the worst.
"I was cooking in the kitchen one day for dinner and one of his sisters ran in and said 'Owen's not in the living room anymore,'" Copeland said.
They found him later that day hiding under the family's front porch. But she didn't want to risk something like that happening again.
"It's difficult, I mean, you're basically asking someone to dedicate 24/7 to another individual," Copeland said. "If you don't practice self care and, you know, maintain your health and well-being then you're not going to be able to take care of your child."
In Carmel, Applied Behavior Center for Autism gave free swimming lessons to children with autism.
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Families watched a demonstration of the program Monday evening in Avon. The wristband is free for families who have loved ones with cognitive disorders and need around-the-clock care. It would help police and firefighters track Owen down if he ever disappears again.
It's free thanks to different grants and fundraisers. One fundraiser is a 5k run at the county fairgrounds on July 22.
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