MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – One year ago, an autisitc four year old visiting family and friends for the holidays in Little River was reported missing. Jayden Morrison’s body was found nearly two days later, in a pond near a family member’s home.
Since then, DeAnna Jackson and her husband, created the Jayden Morrison Project to honor his memory and bring awareness to autism.
“My son’s name is Jayden, he’s 4 and he’s also autistic,” said Jackson.
Jackson didn’t know the Morrison family but was moved by the similarities between the families and felt compelled to reach out after she heard their story.
“My heart was real heavy for the family, I could only imagine losing my child on Christmas Eve.” Jackson reached out during last years vigil, and has stayed in touch with Morrison family ever since.
Jackson created the Jayden Morrison Project because she wanted to do something for the Morrison’s and with the hopes of preventing a similar tragedy from happening to another family.
“To keep his memory alive and help others in the community,” said Jackson.
She found her mission teaming up Project Lifesaver which uses remote transmitters and sensors to track missing at risk people.
“You call 911 and immediately Horry County Police, Fire and Rescue go out with a tracking device to pick up the signal,” explained Jackson.
Project Lifesaver is a joint effort between the Horry County Police Department and SOS Health Care; and something Jackson intially ignored.
“His therapist recommended it and I just kind of blew it off but after this happened, I decided we needed one because we have a pond right out side the door,” said Jackson.
Statistics show searches that used to take days or hours, can be cut down to 30 minutes using the program.
“It relieved a lot of stress, a lot of fear and worry just having in on my son in the last year,” said Jackson.
She wants others to know Project Lifesaver provides and maintains the $372 bracelets free of charge for those who need it.
To help cover costs, Jackson has held one fundraiser which brought in $3,000, all of which went to Project Lifesaver. She plans to hold another fundraiser this April.
