Girl, 13, with autism is missing from Altamonte Springs, police say

Yahoo! News - Apr 16th, 2025
Open on Yahoo! News

The Altamonte Springs Police Department is actively searching for Rachael Scott, a 13-year-old girl with autism who was reported missing. She was last seen around 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday near Wymore Road, an area her family says she is not familiar with. Authorities are urging the public to call 911 or the Altamonte Springs Police Department with any information regarding her whereabouts. Additionally, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has issued a Missing Child Alert to assist in the search effort.

The disappearance of Rachael Scott has prompted a community-wide response, highlighting the challenges and urgency in locating missing persons, especially those with autism who may not communicate or interact in expected ways. This case underscores the importance of rapid information dissemination and community involvement in missing person cases. The use of alerts and media outlets is crucial in these situations, aiming to bring Rachael home safely and swiftly. The implications of such cases often extend beyond immediate concerns, raising awareness about the vulnerabilities of individuals with autism and the need for tailored support in emergency situations.

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RATING

6.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story effectively communicates the urgent situation of a missing teenager with autism, providing essential details such as the time, location, and contact information for public assistance. The factual accuracy is supported by credible sources, although the lack of detailed descriptions and additional perspectives limits the depth of the report. The article is timely and of significant public interest, with the potential to mobilize community efforts. However, the engagement and impact could be enhanced by incorporating more personal narratives and detailed information. Overall, the story is clear and accessible, but additional transparency and balance would improve its quality and effectiveness.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The news story provides a factual account of a missing teenager with autism, offering specific details such as the time and location where Rachael Scott was last seen. The inclusion of contact information for the police department and the issuance of a Missing Child Alert by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement lends credibility to the report. However, the story lacks a detailed description of Rachael Scott, such as her physical appearance or what she was wearing, which is crucial for public assistance in locating her. Additionally, the circumstances surrounding her disappearance are not elaborated upon, which could be important for understanding the context and urgency of the situation.

6
Balance

The article focuses primarily on the facts surrounding Rachael Scott's disappearance, providing a straightforward account without delving into any additional perspectives or potential biases. The story could benefit from including statements from family members or law enforcement officials to provide a more balanced view of the situation. While the article is not overtly biased, the lack of diverse perspectives or additional context might limit the reader's understanding of the broader implications or emotional impact of the story.

8
Clarity

The article is written in clear and concise language, making it easy for readers to understand the essential facts of the story. The structure is straightforward, with a logical flow from the introduction of Rachael Scott's disappearance to the call for public assistance. However, the lack of detailed information about Rachael's appearance or the circumstances of her disappearance may leave readers with unanswered questions. Overall, the clarity of the writing is strong, but additional details would enhance comprehension.

7
Source quality

The article cites the Altamonte Springs Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, both of which are reputable sources for information regarding missing persons. However, the story does not reference any additional sources, such as family members or eyewitnesses, which could enhance the depth and reliability of the reporting. The reliance on official sources lends credibility, but the inclusion of more varied viewpoints would improve the overall quality.

5
Transparency

The article clearly states the basic facts of the situation, but it lacks transparency in terms of the methodology used to gather information. There is no mention of how the information was obtained, whether through direct interviews, press releases, or other means. Additionally, there is no disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might affect the reporting. Greater transparency in the reporting process would help readers better understand the context and reliability of the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/altamonte-police-search-missing-teen-girl-can-you-help-find-her
  2. https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/04/16/altamonte-springs-police-search-for-missing-13-year-old-girl/
  3. https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/1625770
  4. https://www.instagram.com/positivelyosceola/p/DIfvyAJAror/
  5. https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/orlando-florida-missing-girl-victoria-espinola-april-11-2025