An 18-year-old woman who is on the autism spectrum has been missing since Tuesday morning near Fort Lauderdale, and Broward Sheriff's Office deputies are asking the public for help finding her. Shakiria Ross was last seen around 10:30 a.m. near the 2700 block of Northwest Ninth Place in unincorporated Central Broward County, wearing a gray and white shirt and gray pants.
According to WSVN 7News, Ross is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing around 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Her family confirmed to authorities that she is on the autism spectrum, according to the station's report. The Broward Sheriff's Office Missing Persons Unit is involved in the search, according to the station's report.
Officials are urging anyone with information on Ross's whereabouts to contact BSO Missing Persons Detective Chris Blankenship at 954-321-4268, or to call the BSO non-emergency line at 954-764-HELP (4357). Tips can also be submitted entirely anonymously through Broward Crime Stoppers, either online or by phone.
Autism and Wandering Risks
Florida's Purple Alert system is governed by Florida Statute § 937.0205 and has additional activation requirements, including a credible threat, entry into FCIC, and an agency recommendation, per the Bradenton Police Department. The alert was created specifically to close a gap between Amber Alerts for missing children and Silver Alerts for elderly adults with dementia, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
An amendment effective July 1, 2024 split the system into two tiers: Local Purple Alerts for missing disabled individuals on foot or in unidentified vehicles, and Statewide Purple Alerts reserved for cases involving an identifiable vehicle, per the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's activation guidance. The alert tier depends on whether an identifiable vehicle is involved. Florida Department of Law Enforcement recommendations call for local agencies issuing a Local Purple Alert to log the missing person into the Florida Crime Information Center database, notify regional media outlets, and alert on-duty officers and surrounding county agencies.
Wandering Risk Drives Search Urgency
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children discusses accidental drowning in connection with wandering and elopement involving people with autism, per MissingKids.org.
The federal government has also emphasized coordination and preparedness around missing people with autism, according to HHS.gov.
As of now, BSO has not said whether search teams are prioritizing nearby waterways or retention ponds in the area, and it remains unclear whether a Local Purple Alert has formally been activated in Ross's case. Anyone with information is asked to come forward through the contacts listed by authorities.
