– In recent months, families in Pasadena, Baytown, and Fort Bend County have faced terrifying moments not knowing where their loved ones with cognitive disabilities were. Thankfully, each case ended safely, and in one, technology and community programs made all the difference.
Two tools are making a difference: Take Me Home and Project Lifesaver.
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15 minute rescue in Fort Bend Co.
Just after 1:45 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office (FBCSO) deputies responded to a call about a young man wandering a Richmond neighborhood.
The man, identified as 20-year-old Brady, has cognitive disabilities and is nonverbal. Brady’s mother, Dr. Dana Walker, said this was the first time he had ever tried to leave their home in the middle of the night.
A nearby resident called 911 after Brady walked into his garage. Deputies arrived quickly and attempted to communicate through written notes and ESL (English as a Second Language) techniques but had little success. Then, they turned to a secure database called Take Me Home, which helps law enforcement identify and locate individuals with cognitive or developmental disabilities.
Using Brady’s photo and a nickname saved in the system, deputies were able to identify him within minutes. They used that familiar name to help build trust, and just 15 minutes after arriving, Brady was safely reunited with his family.
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“The database gives us a way to quickly identify individuals who may not be able to speak for themselves,” Sergeant Matthew Hricko, who coordinates ‘Take Me Home Program’ for the FBCSO, emphasized the value of the system in emergency situations. “It bridges the communication gap and gives us access to crucial information that can make all the difference in cases like Brady’s.”
That difference was clear in Brady’s case and it’s exactly why Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan says the program is so essential.
“This situation is exactly why we believe so strongly in the Take Me Home program,” Fagan said. “Because of our deputies’ training, quick thinking, and the information available through this vital tool, we were able to safely reunite a vulnerable young man with his family.”
Project Lifesaver could’ve helped
Earlier last month, on June 3, a nonverbal young girl was found walking alone at 4:30 a.m. in Pasadena. Although upset, she was unharmed and reunited with her family hours later.
But the case spread rapidly on social media, raising questions about how families and law enforcement can prevent such incidents or respond even faster.
Project Lifesaver is one tool designed to help in cases like these.
“Had she been a Project Lifesaver client wearing her bracelet,” said Nora Firestone, Director of Marketing for Project Lifesaver International, “her loved ones would have been able to contact the agency immediately. Within 30 minutes, maybe an hour under those conditions, they would have found her.”
READ MORE ON: ‘It could’ve been faster’: Pasadena nonverbal girl found safe, families ask why Project Lifesaver isn’t in more counties
Take Me Home vs. Project Lifesaver: What’s the difference?
Take Me Home
- Voluntary database for individuals with cognitive or developmental disabilities
- Used by law enforcement to identify someone with cognitive impairment or disability that may affect their ability to communicate
- Includes a current digital picture, demographic info, caregiver contacts, and nicknames.
- Fort Bend County currently has 318 registered users, accessible by over 500 officers
Project Lifesaver
- Provides a radio-frequency bracelet to individuals with cognitive or communication challenges
- When someone goes missing, trained officers use portable receivers to track the signal
- Works in places GPS and cell signals may fail—such as inside buildings, dense woods, or even underwater
- Launched in 1999, Project Lifesaver has assisted in over 4,400 rescues—most in just 30 minutes.
Gaps and challenges
On June 9, a 22-year-old man with autism went missing in Fort Bend County and was later found in a hospital, but Project Lifesaver wasn’t used, raising concerns about awareness and enrollment.
Despite their success, programs like Take Me Home and Project Lifesaver face several challenges:
- Lack of awareness
- Limited staff or agency funding
- Misconceptions that they’re only available in certain counties or to law enforcement
On social media, some users expressed surprise that these tools weren’t more widely available. One commenter wrote, “It would be nice if all counties/zip codes offered Project Lifesaver.”
Firestone says that’s where community advocacy matters: “People can come together as groups in their community, like parents and educators, and we can walk them through the steps.”
How to get involved or register
Fort Bend County families can register for Take Me Home by visiting the FBCSO website. Learn more about Project Lifesaver, advocate for it in your area, or request a bracelet by visiting projectlifesaver.org.
Concerned residents can also reach out to local law enforcement to ask whether these programs are available in their area and how to help bring them in.
Preparedness saves lives
Whether it’s a database or a tracking bracelet, one thing is clear, these programs are working.
In the words of Sheriff Fagan: “We encourage all families of individuals with cognitive disabilities to register.”
