Gaithersburg

Search Continues for Missing Non-Verbal Autistic 6-Year-Old Boy in Gaithersburg

By Patrick Herron

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) has confirmed that the body of Fawzan Hassan, a 6-year-old boy who went missing on Saturday, July 27, has been recovered from a pond in Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg.

Per MCPD: “The Montgomery County Department of Police is actively searching for Fawzan Hassan, a 6-year-old boy who went missing on Saturday, July 27 while in Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg.

Hassan, who is non-verbal and Autistic, was last seen at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday. He is wearing a green shirt, blue jeans, and blue and white sneakers.

Search teams have worked overnight in the search for the child and have deployed drones with the assistance of Maryland National Capital Police – Montgomery County.

Residents in the area are urged to check around their property, including under porches and decks, swimming pools, outbuildings, unlocked cars, and nearby playgrounds. Additionally, please review any home surveillance videos.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Fawzan Hassan is asked to call 911.

Approaching Non-Verbal Autistic Children:Please call 911 right away. When engaging with a non-verbal autistic child, it is important to approach them calmly and slowly. Avoid making sudden movements or loud noises that might startle them. Speak in a gentle, reassuring tone, even if the child does not respond verbally. Non-verbal autistic children might not respond to their name, so try to use other cues, such as visual signals or familiar objects, to get their attention. Most importantly, ensure the child’s safety and wait for police to arrive.

Please visit unit website for wandering safety resources, suggestions and unit officer contact info and MCPD Autism/IDD Unit brochure link for neighbor letter, 911 script and other wandering safety information.”