Miami Mother Accused In Drowning Death Of Autistic Child

MIAMI, FL — The mother of a 9-year-old autistic boy, whose body was found floating in a southwest Miami-Dade golf course waterway Friday morning wearing a blue Captain America T-shirt and diaper, was accused of drowning her young son and touching off a statewide amber alert by telling police her child was taken by two black men who demanded drugs from her.

"I want you all in the community to think about Alejandro, that the only voice in his life that he depended on to get through this world was his mom's," Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez told reporters Saturday. "To think that voice would be the one that would harm him the most, as a parent, and a member of this community, I'm deeply saddened by what happened to that young boy."

Forty-five-year-old Patricia Ripley was arrested Friday night and charged with first-degree murder, premeditated murder and attempted first-degree murder. She was being held without bond on Saturday.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said the mother tried to kill her child twice Thursday night before succeeding on the second attempt.

"The police obtained a video showing that Ripley pushed Alejandro into a canal in the area of 103rd Avenue and Kendall Drive at approximately 7:30 p.m.," Fernandez Rundle said. "Local residents heard screaming, and went to assist, and they found Alejandro in the canal and rescued him."

But the boy, who was nonverbal, was far from safe once he was pulled from the murky waters, according to the Miami-Dade prosecutor.

"An hour later, she again brought him and led him to a different canal located by SW 62nd Street and 138th Court," Fernandez Rundle said. "This time, unfortunately there was no one there to save him."

Aldo Ripley, the child's father, choked back tears Saturday as he addressed reporters with an attorney by his side. The attorney described Patricia Ripley as an "excellent mother, an excellent person, a great family" who will have her day in court.

"We loved Alejandro and we don't agree with whatever they said about my wife," Aldo Ripley insisted. "It's not real."

Miami-Dade police found the child's body about five minutes away by car from the area where Ripley's mother said the boy was taken by two black men near a Home Depot store. His body was found at the Miccosukee Golf & Country Club.

The person who found the body said they were walking along an embankment when they spotted the child. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel pronounced Alejandro Ripley dead on the scene.

Patrica Ripley told Miami-Dade police she was driving with her son westbound on SW 88 Street from 157 Avenue when she noticed she was being followed by light blue car, which police now believe never happened.

She claimed the driver attempted to sideswipe her vehicle, forcing her to veer onto SW 158 Ave.

"The vehicle then blocked her in while a male passenger ambushed her, demanding drugs," a Miami-Dade detective said earlier of the woman's initial account. "After stating she didn't have any drugs, he then stole her cellular phone and abducted her son, fleeing southbound in the unknown vehicle."

Patricia Ripley's story began to unravel while she was being questioned by police, according to court documents, which said Ripley gave conflicting statements with witness accounts as well as the video obtained by police that showed Ripley pushing the child into the first canal.

"Upon being confronted with this information, the defendant recanted her initial story, including that she had been robbed," court documents said.

The child was remembered with dozens of blue and white balloons outside My Kid Therapy Center as a handmade sign displayed a number of colorful hand prints.

"Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure," the organization posted on social media. "⁣⁣We will always remember you Alejandro Ripley."

Rabbi Yossi Harlig, executive director of Friendship Circle Miami, which also works with special needs children in the area, called the child's death shocking.

“We are shocked and saddened by the loss of life of this precious young child whose body was found a few miles from our campus," Harlig said. "No child should ever be in this position, especially a child with special needs who cannot call out for help. We all grieve for Alejandro and his family.”

To report a tip, call the Miami-Dade Police Department at 305-476-5423 or dial 911. Alternatively, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477; visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select “Give a Tip”; or text "CSMD" followed by the tip information to 274637.