The tragic death of 11-year-old Mohamed Mohamed, a nonverbal boy with autism, whose body was recovered from a pond near his home in Eden Prairie, has left his family and community grappling with grief and unanswered questions. His death has also reignited concerns within the Somali community in the Twin Cities, where a similar tragedy occurred just a few months earlier.
Mohamed disappeared late Sunday afternoon, last seen around 5:45 p.m. near his home on Cardiff Lane. As soon as his absence was noticed, an urgent search operation was launched, involving local authorities and a rallying community effort. Eden Prairie police, assisted by K-9 units, drones, and a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter, scoured the area, while neighbors joined in, lighting their homes and combing their yards in hopes of finding him. The search took a devastating turn when authorities pulled a body from a nearby pond around 9:30 p.m., matching the description of the young boy.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Mohamed’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the Eden Prairie Police Department said in a statement. Authorities, including the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol and the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mohamed’s death.
This tragedy marks the second time in recent months that a Somali child with autism has drowned in the Twin Cities. In June, 4-year-old Waeys Ali Mohamed, another nonverbal child with autism, wandered away from his family and drowned in Minnehaha Creek. The eerie similarity between the two cases has stirred deep concern among the Somali community about the vulnerability of autistic children and the recurring nature of such accidents.
Experts point to a heightened risk factor: children with autism are often drawn to water due to its sensory appeal. Ellie Wilson, executive director of the Autism Society of Minnesota, noted, “The movement of water and the pressure it creates can be calming for autistic children. But this same attraction can lead to tragic outcomes, as drowning remains the leading cause of death for children with autism.”
For the Somali community, these drownings represent a much larger issue—how to protect vulnerable children while addressing the unique challenges faced by immigrant families with autistic children. Mahdi Warsama, CEO of the Somali Parents Autism Network (SPAN), spoke of the ongoing struggles, emphasizing that these tragedies leave families in constant fear. “It makes you worry who’s next and what more can be done to prevent these tragedies,” Warsama said. His organization has been pushing for more awareness around safety measures, such as door and window alarms, specialized swimming lessons, and GPS tracking devices for children with autism.
The loss of Mohamed Mohamed has sparked a collective call to action within the Somali and wider Twin Cities communities. Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), reflected on the pattern of these tragic events. “If you had told me a few months ago, when we were looking for the young child in Hopkins, that we would be doing the same thing three months later, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Hussein said. “Now, I think we have to take this matter seriously.”
Hussein’s remarks underscore the growing sense of urgency around the issue of safeguarding children with autism. In light of these recent events, advocates are calling for more robust safety protocols and preventive measures to ensure that another child does not suffer the same fate.
As the Somali community mourns another devastating loss, there is a profound sense that more must be done. “We cannot afford to lose another child,” Warsama emphasized. “The time for awareness and safety is now.”
