West Chester, OH — Community Mourns Tragic Loss of 7-Year-Old Mardasia Forte, Found Dead in Pond
The West Chester Township community is grieving the heartbreaking loss of 7-year-old Mardasia Forte, a young girl with autism whose life was tragically cut short after she was found unresponsive in a retention pond at the Lakota Lakes apartment complex on Friday morning, June 13, 2025.
According to West Chester Police, officers were dispatched to the apartment complex around 11:30 a.m. after receiving a 911 call from the girl’s mother, who reported her daughter missing. While officers were arriving on the scene, another 911 call came in—this time from Mardasia’s older brother, who had just discovered the child in a nearby retention pond within the complex.
Emergency responders immediately began life-saving measures, but despite their efforts, Mardasia could not be revived. The Butler County Coroner’s Office later confirmed her identity and ruled the preliminary cause of death as drowning, with the manner of death classified as accidental.
Mardasia, described by her family as joyful, bright, and curious, had autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition that can increase vulnerability in emergency situations due to impaired communication and a tendency to wander—a phenomenon known as “elopement.” Her mother had reportedly taken appropriate steps to keep her safe, but as officials noted, tragedies can happen in an instant.
“What we have learned so far is that there were proper precautions taken on behalf of the mother,” said West Chester Police Captain Brent Lovell. “This is a devastating situation that no family ever wants to face.”
Township Administrator Lisa Brown echoed the community’s collective grief, saying,
“This is an incredible tragedy for our community, so soon after we lost a child in similar circumstances.”
Brown was referencing the death of 6-year-old Joshua Al-Lateef Jr., another child with autism who drowned in a retention pond near his West Chester home just seven months ago. That incident led to a renewed focus on water safety and special needs emergency protocols across Butler County.
Following Joshua’s death, advocates and lawmakers began pushing for a special alert system tailored for children with autism and other cognitive conditions, recognizing the need for faster, targeted responses when vulnerable children go missing. Local officials have also turned their attention to environmental safety, especially around water features in public areas.
“We are looking at bodies of water we can control here in the township,” Brown said. “We have several retention ponds, including near our new splash pad at Beckett Park. We’re actively planning to ensure we have proper safety measures in place to restrict access where children gather.”
In response to both tragedies, several community organizations have pledged to expand autism education, wandering prevention programs, and resources for families, including wearable GPS trackers and neighborhood awareness campaigns. West Chester schools and first responders are also revisiting training protocols for handling calls involving children with special needs.
The community has since rallied around the Forte family, offering support, condolences, and assistance during this unimaginably difficult time. A memorial fund has been set up to help the family with funeral expenses and to raise awareness around autism and child safety.
“Mardasia’s life, though short, will be remembered for the light and love she brought into the world,” one neighbor shared. “She deserved so much more time, and our hearts are with her family.”
As the investigation continues, authorities urge any community members with suggestions for improving safety around residential water features or ideas for autism-specific alert systems to contact West Chester Township offices.
In memory of Mardasia Forte and in the wake of these recurring tragedies, West Chester is confronting hard truths and pushing forward with resolve—to protect its most vulnerable residents and to ensure that no family has to endure this kind of loss again.
