LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A Lexington teen is safe and back home with his family Wednesday night, thanks in part to Kentucky’s IAN Alert system.
Kentucky State Police say Jahmari Carter, who has autism, wandered away from his home Wednesday morning. Police quickly issued an IAN Alert, which notifies the public when a child with autism or mental illness goes missing and could be in danger.
The disappearance of Carter was every mother’s worst nightmare. For Amie Hughes, her birthday didn’t bring celebration, it brought a frantic search for her son.
“He’s autistic, he thinks everybody is friendly,” said Amie Hughes, Carter’s mother. “I was worried about sex offenders in the neighborhood. I was worried he was so friendly that he would walk into somebody’s house.”
Hughes says she dozed off for 20 minutes, that’s when she says her son got out the side door. She says she immediately called police and gave her son’s description.
Kentucky State Police say that information helped trigger the IAN Alert. The system was enacted in 2025 after a law was passed in the legislative session.
“The alert is designed when it is issued that it goes out to all cell phones in that area,” said Sherry Bray, a spokesperson for KSP.
Bray says within 45 minutes of the alert being sent out, Carter had been located.
The news hit close to home for Rhonda O’Brien. She helped push for the legislation for the IAN Alert. It is named in honor of her grandson, Ian Soussis.
“Today was the most beautiful day, we strived just to save one life,” said O’Brien. “It’s positive turning a big negative into a positive.”
KSP says the person who called police to report Carter had been found recognized him because they received the alert.
“He always thought he was going to be a super hero, and you know he is. He would be very, very happy knowing he would help save other people,” said O’Brien.
Hughes thanked first responders and everyone on social media who helped find her son.