Name: Eliana “Nichie” Paloma Gonzalez.
Died: April 7, 2023.
Age at death: 7.
Cause of death: Accidental/Neglect (Auto accident).
Location: Prunedale, California, USA.
Details:
After leaving her home and trying to cross a busy highway, Eliana was killed in a car accident.
Accidental deaths like this are common on the spectrum; children with autism may take longer to learn about danger, and may leave safe locations out of boredom, sensory overload, or simple desire to explore. Parents use child-safe locks, window bars, baby monitors, and even wearable monitors to keep track of their children; but sometimes, even those measures fail, and a child leaves their home and dies of drowning, exposure, or accident. Eliana’s death seemed, at first, like just another tragic accident.
However, Eliana’s death was different: Unlike the parents of autistic children who die accidentally, her father was charged with murder. Eliana had eloped before, and her father–though completely aware of the danger–took no precautions against it happening again. Police believe that he knew of the danger and deliberately put Eliana at risk.
According to police, Eliana’s father “…failed to provide essential safety and security measures for his child. Furthermore, he knowingly and willingly displayed negligence, endangering the child over an extended period, which ultimately led to the death of his daughter.”
Eliana’s father faces charges of murder and child abuse.
Sources:
Monterey County Father Charged with Murder After 7-Year-Old Daughter Tragically Killed on Highway 101
Prunedale father charged with murder in death of autistic daughter
Father arrested after daughter, 7, killed on Highway 101 in Monterey County
DA: Arraignment postponed for father of girl killed while trying to cross Highway 101
Autism Memorial 