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Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Lawmakers propose new ‘PURPLE Alert' for missing Rhode Islanders with disabilities
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — State lawmakers have introduced legislation that would establish a statewide notification system to assist police in future searches for missing individuals with intellectual disabilities. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Tina Spears and Sen. Todd Patalano, would create a so-called 'PURPLE Alert,' which would function similarly to the state's existing AMBER and Silver alert systems. 'This is a missing piece in our statewide system of care for the health and safety of adults with disabilities,' said Spears, who's the executive director of the Community Provider Network of Rhode Island. The PURPLE Alert would only be activated for missing adults with physical or neurological disabilities that are serious enough to warrant concern for their immediate safety and wellbeing. The legislation comes after Linda DaLomba, a 45-year-old nonverbal autistic woman, went missing for four days and was eventually found curled up in the back seat of a parked car. 'Our recent experience in Cranston showed clearly that we need an alert program that is tailored to the specific needs of adults with more serious disabilities in our community who rely on caregivers in their daily lives,' said Patalano, who's also a major with the Cranston Police Department. 'This is a tool that I sincerely hope we will not have to use often, but it is important that we establish a working protocol now before the next time we are on the clock with a missing individual.' RELATED: Caregiver was at nail salon when autistic woman went missing Other states have already implemented similar alert systems, including Florida, Georgia, New York and Texas. DaLomba vanished while her caregiver was visiting a nail salon in the city, according to police. Investigators believe she got out of the car in the parking lot and walked down the street to the unlocked vehicle, where she remained until she was discovered. Her disappearance triggered an extensive citywide search, and detectives began fearing the worst as the caregiver continued to provide them with conflicting statements regarding DaLomba's potential whereabouts. Thankfully, a mechanic with the Cranston Fire Department went outside to jumpstart his family friend's car and found DaLomba laying down in the backseat. He decided to call the police after hearing about DaLomba's disappearance on the news. SEE ALSO: Cranston honors man who found missing autistic woman DaLomba's caregiver, 43-year-old Roberta Gerard, has since been arrested and charged with abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult with severe impairments, as well as falsely reporting a crime and obstruction of an officer in the execution of duty. She was released on $5,000 surety bail pending her next court date, which is slated for June. State Rep. Christopher Paplauskas recently told 12 News he would be introducing legislation to create a similar notification system, which he planned to call the 'Linda Alert.' He is not currently listed as a sponsor on Spears' proposal for the PURPLE Alert. Patalano said law enforcement would be in charge of determining whether a missing individual's disabilities are serious enough to warrant issuing the alert. Officers would also review appropriate documentation from the missing individual's family, legal guardian or long-term care facility. The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) would be tasked with developing the PURPLE Alert system, as well as the policies and procedures for activating it. 'An alert catches people's attention and prompts action,' said Joanne Quinn, executive director of the Autism Project. 'It gives urgency to a situation and, when the community reacts quicker and takes the missing person alert seriously, people will be found sooner.' NEXT: Caretaker charged with lying to police after woman went missing Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State rep pleads guilty to refusing breathalyzer during February DUI arrest
Rep. Enrique Sanchez, a Providence Democrat, is shown during a vehicle stop in Cranston early Monday. (Still from Cranston police body camera courtesy of Cranston Police Department) A state lawmaker accused of driving while intoxicated in Cranston in February can keep his license, but must use a breath alcohol ignition device for six months after pleading guilty to a traffic court citation. State Rep. Enrique Sanchez, a Providence Democrat, pleaded guilty Friday before the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal to refusing to take a breathalyzer test in exchange for prosecutors dropping a citation for failing to obey traffic control devices. He had pleaded not guilty to the citations during his initial appearance Feb. 19. Sanchez, 28, must complete 10 hours of community service, undergo alcohol treatment, and use a breathalyzer-activated ignition device for six months, according to an order from Traffic Tribunal Magistrate Mark Welch. Welch had also ordered Sanchez's license suspended 30 days, but the ruling was retroactive to Feb. 19 — meaning it's since been reinstated. Sanchez still faces a misdemeanor DUI charge in Providence County Superior Court, where a pre-trial conference is scheduled for Friday, April 4. The second-term lawmaker deferred inquiries Monday to his attorney, former Rhode Island House Speaker John Harwood, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment. House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has reserved comment on Sanchez's Traffic Tribunal plea as the criminal case continues. Sanchez was arrested by Cranston Police on Feb. 3 after an officer spotted him behind the wheel of a 2017 Nissan Altima stopped at a green light on Reservoir Avenue at 3 a.m. The arresting officer claimed Sanchez was disoriented and smelled of alcohol, which Sanchez has denied. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
