The head teacher sadly reports that the autistic student passed away, despite the family's desperate plea for support.

Isaac Uzoegbu, a 16-year-old boy with autism and learning disabilities, died after being hit by a car when he ran into the road from his house in Gillingham, Kent. This tragic incident marks the third case of an autistic boy dying in the Kent and Medway area in the past three years. Despite his parents struggling to manage his increasingly out of control behavior, Medway Council claims to have provided prompt support to the family. However, the head teacher of Isaac's special needs school believes that his death could have been prevented if the local authority had provided additional behavior support. Experts warn that autistic children are more likely to flee and put themselves in danger if they feel overwhelmed, and local authorities must recognize the risks and take steps to manage a child's behavior.

Mrs Akinde reached out to BBC News after coming across our investigation that shed light on the numerous cases of autistic individuals who had tragically passed away due to severe shortcomings in their care provided by local health and social services in England and Wales.

Out of the 51 cases we identified, we specifically highlighted the deaths of two boys from the Kent and Medway region - 13-year-old Sammy Alban Stanley and 15-year-old Stefan Kluibenschadl. The same coroner who handled both cases called for immediate action to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The coroner emphasized that if children with complex needs were not granted access to the necessary care and treatment, it was highly likely that similar incidents would arise. Mrs Akinde expressed that the deficiencies in Isaac's care mirrored those that led to Sammy's tragic death two years prior.

In her conversation with the BBC, she stated, "I realized that if I remain silent about this, I am complicit in perpetuating this flawed system."

Sammy and Stefan passed away within a span of two years. Both boys were autistic, attended the same school, received care from NHS Kent and Medway, and experienced significant failures in their care.

Sammy's passing occurred in April 2020, nearly two years before Isaac's. He fell from a cliff near his residence in Ramsgate. Sammy's autism, coupled with Prader-Willi Syndrome, which causes learning disabilities and behavioral challenges, often led him to run away when overwhelmed and become disconnected from his surroundings. During these episodes, he would lose any sense of danger. Sammy's mother had pleaded for additional support.

Despite the warnings regarding care, individuals with autism are still succumbing to death.

Prior to Stefan's passing, he faced significant challenges with his mental well-being for a period of six months. Despite receiving a referral from his general practitioner, NHS Kent and Medway dismissed his family's desperate pleas for assistance. The coroner determined that Stefan's demise was a result of his own actions, although she could not ascertain his exact intentions. With the consent of Isaac's family, Mrs. Akinde has been authorized to share Isaac's narrative on their behalf. The former head teacher of Rivermead School in Gillingham fondly recalls Isaac as an exuberant and joyful young boy, with his infectious smile leaving a lasting impression on everyone. However, as Isaac entered adolescence, his demeanor began to change. Mrs. Akinde reveals that he encountered social difficulties, leading to heightened anxiety, fear, and outbursts of aggression.

Isaac's behavior started to escalate in early September 2021, and according to Mrs. Akinde, the school was making every effort to manage it. Despite her pleas, she claims that little support was provided, even though she maintained regular contact with the local authority. However, Medway Council disputes this, stating that they were not informed about Isaac's issues until late November. In an attempt to give him more space and alleviate his feelings of being overwhelmed, his family converted their small, terraced home by transforming the living room into a bedroom and living area for Isaac. The situation reached a critical point in early December, just a few weeks before the accident, and a referral to the local authority had already been made on November 25, with ongoing assessments. Concerns arose as the Christmas holidays approached, as Mrs. Akinde and her team worried about how Isaac would cope without the structure and routine of school. The school offered respite provision during the holidays to assist Isaac and his family, but Medway Council would have had to cover the costs. Unfortunately, this offer was declined as it was not considered financially feasible. As Isaac's behavior became more unpredictable and volatile, the local authority advised the family to lock the door every night to prevent him from running away. Mrs. Akinde expresses that they felt they had exhausted all possible options, having pleaded with the local authority for help both at school and at home, and keeping regular communication with the parents. Tragically, their worst fears became a reality when, on December 28, Isaac's father, who was also caring for his three other children, fell asleep and forgot to lock the door. Isaac managed to escape barefoot and ran into the path of an oncoming car. He succumbed to severe head injuries five days later. Holding a card from Isaac, featuring a big smiley face that he had drawn, Mrs. Akinde tearfully states, "he shouldn't have died in this way."

To access comprehensive information and assistance regarding autism-related concerns, we recommend visiting the BBC Action Line, where you can find a wealth of resources and guidance from various organizations specializing in this field.

In a child death review, Mrs Akinde emphasized the inadequate assistance provided to Isaac's family, a procedure that occurs following the death of any child in England and is meant to provide information to the coroner's investigations during the inquest. BBC News has acquired an audio recording of the inquest regarding Isaac, where neither the school nor the local authority were requested to provide evidence. The coroner concluded that Isaac's death resulted from a road traffic collision. Despite reaching out to the Kent and Medway Coroner Service for a statement, the BBC did not receive a response.

According to the BBC, Medway Council has stated that it took immediate action to provide direct support to the family and conducted an emergency review regarding Isaac's future education upon learning about the concerns raised by the former head teacher. The council expressed its deep sorrow over the tragic accident. While Medway Council is responsible for social services, the child death review for Isaac was overseen by NHS Kent and Medway. Kent and Medway's chief nurse, Alison Cannon, emphasized the seriousness with which they approach their statutory role and stated that they followed all national guidance and laws. Anne Longfield, the former children's commissioner, highlighted the challenge of determining responsibility in cases involving multiple organizations responsible for a child's care. She emphasized the need for clarity regarding who is accountable for ensuring the safety of these children. Mrs. Akinde, Isaac's mother, expressed not only her devastation over his death but also her disappointment with the lack of accountability that followed. She hopes that Isaac's story serves as a reminder of the consequences when sufficient care is not provided.