Man With Autism Drowns After Climbing Fence, Jumping Into Pool at Nassau Home

PLANDOME, NY – A 21-year-old man with autism drowned after he scaled a fence from the playground of the group home he lived at and jumped into a pool at a private home in Plandome Tuesday afternoon, Nassau Police said.

According to police, the man was in the playground area with other roommates at a Mental Health Association (MHA) of Nassau's group home at 21 The Terrace when he climbed over a PVC fence and entered the property of a home on Plandome Road, which is adjacent to the group home's playground around 4 p.m.

While on the property, the man jumped into a built-in pool and was found minutes later at the bottom by the facility staff, who jumped into the pool, brought him to the surface and began CPR, police said.

Upon police and ambulance arrival, the man was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5 p.m.

The man's name is being withheld at this time and the investigation into the incident is ongoing, police said.

“It’s terrible,” Marcia Spector, the interim executive director of the MHA told Newsday. “We’re all speechless with grief and our hearts go out to his family. Our very dedicated staff did everything they could.”

The man lived at The Terrace, which is a specialized residential facility designed for children with autism and autistic-like behaviors, according to the MHA's website.

The MHA is independent, nonprofit organization governed by a voluntary board of directors composed of 22 community leaders who commit their time and resources to improving mental health in Nassau County. The MHA does receive funding from Nassau County and New York State through contracts to deliver specific services, but the agency is not part of county government.