Sheletta Brundidge, a Twin Cities-based radio host for WCCO, and outspoken advocate for autism awareness, is covering the funeral expenses for 7-year-old Skylar Hopson, a nonverbal and autistic child from Pearland, Texas, who was reported missing on Wednesday, March 11, and later found dead in a retention pond near her home.
“I knew her mother would be grieving, and the last thing she needed to worry about was the financial burden of a funeral,” said Brundidge, also known as the Autism Mom.
According to the National Autism Association, children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than other children because they are strongly drawn to the rich sensory input water provides, including tactile sensations, visual stimulation, and freedom of movement. In 2024, 82 children with autism drowned, according to MissingKids.org.
“Parents don’t need condemnation. We need understanding and grace,” said Brundidge, who is the mother of four children, three of whom are on the autism spectrum. She has written books on the topic, speaks about it in the news, and has traveled the country donating her time and money to give away interior combination locks to parents of autistic children all through her nonprofit ShelettaMakesADifference.org (SheMAD).
When Brundidge learned of the search for Skylar and then the child’s tragic death, she felt compelled to help and was connected to the child’s incredibly grateful mother, saying to Brundidge, “We’ve never met, but from the depths of my heart and soul, thank you, and I love you for all that you’ve done. I pray we can work together in the future to educate and advocate for our babies.”
Brundidge says there is often judgment of autistic parents when what is needed is compassion. “People have to understand this is not a situation of a parent not watching their kids,” Brundidge explained. “If you have a child with autism, when you go to the bathroom, or wash dishes or take a phone call, that is their moment to get out of the house.”
Brundidge recalls having her youngest, Daniel, hold onto her while she cooked or did dishes so she could keep track of him.
Eventually, Brundidge researched keyless electronic interior combination door locks after Daniel got out of the house on a below-zero day in January in Minnesota. When she was just about ready to dial 911, Brundidge looked out the window. “He was jumping on the trampoline in the backyard, on top of the ice.”
Now Brundige has interior locks on every door of her home. “Someone might describe it as Fort Knox,” Brundidge explained. “Each lock requires a 10-digit code, and I’ve got different codes for each lock. These kids are young, and fast; we are old and slow!”
Brundidge encourages parents of autistic children to install the locks for peace of mind. Unfortunately, she said, Skylar is another tragic reason her work is never done.
“Whatever I gotta do,” Brundidge exclaimed. “I’m out here screaming at the top of my lungs, because I don’t want another mother to lose their child.”
Visitation and celebration of life for Skylar Hopson is Friday, March 20. Details are here.
To see a video of how interior combination locks are installed and to learn more about the Autism Mom’s lock giveaways and advocacy, go here.
