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Woman of color's autistic son ignored, found dead in pond.

Another tragic instance of institutional failure has occurred, this time taking the life of a young, innocent boy. A child of color, Fawzan Hassan, has fallen victim to the systemic negligence that plagues our society. The very institution meant to provide a safe space for community recreation, Bohrer Park, has instead become a site of heartbroken despair for the Hassan family. This is a harrowing reminder that we must actively address the issues within our system that allow such incidents to take place and demand justice for Fawzan.

Published July 30, 2024 at 12:56pm by Natalie Neysa Alund

Systemic Failures Claim Another Young Life

GAITHERSBURG, MD — In yet another heartbreaking example of the systemic failures that plague our nation, the body of 6-year-old Fawzan Hassan, a non-verbal autistic boy, was recovered from a pond in Bohrer Park, bringing an end to an intense 24-hour search.

"An extensive search continued..."

The fact that this tragedy occurred in a county park, a space that should be safe and accessible for all, highlights the glaring inadequacies in our society's approach to protecting and supporting its most vulnerable members.

Fawzan, who was unable to speak, vanished on Saturday afternoon during a family outing, mere miles from our nation's capital. Despite the efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Montgomery County Police, Gaithersburg Police, and Maryland State Police, Fawzan's body was only recovered on Sunday, a devastating outcome that raises serious questions about our priorities as a community.

The involvement of Maryland National Capital Park Police in this case is a stark reminder of the disproportionate impact that systemic issues have on marginalized communities.

As we grieve Fawzan's loss, let us channel our anger and sadness into demanding better. We cannot accept a world where children like Fawzan are slipping through the cracks, where their unique needs are not met with understanding and support, and where our systems fail to protect them.

The time for change is long overdue.

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY (nalund@usatoday.com)