NORTON, Mass. — The parents of a 6-year-old girl who was pulled from a partially frozen pond in Norton on Friday are thanking the community for their support.
Nearly 100 people attended a vigil outside St. Mary’s in Norton on Monday evening in memory of Josephine “Josie” Pinto.
Divers located Josie about 12 minutes after entering the icy water in the pond behind the family’s home.
Josie was transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
“I want to first-of-all thank everyone in our community who stepped up and showed us so much love,” said John Pinto, Josie’s father. “All the messages from all our children’s teachers, all the bus drivers, the police officers, and the firemen who worked so diligently to try to find my baby.”
Josie’s parents stood stoically with Josie’s twin days after losing their daughter.
They said they are touched by all the love that’s come their way from Norton and Stoughton, where Josie’s mother is a special education teacher.
“There’s been so much support from both communities and my family. Thank you all for being here with us and supporting us,” said mother Patricia Sweeney.
Family members said Josie and her twin Rosie were both diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder before their third birthday.
They said their parents made sure that Josie and Rosie had access to every support available.
A GoFundMe, that raised more than $70,000 as of Monday night, said, “Typical in children with ASD, Josie and Rosie lacked the sense of safety and awareness that is present in same-aged children.”
It explains that, paired with sensation-seeking, often leads to escaping or wandering.
The fundraiser describes Patricia and John Pinto safeguarding their entire home to keep their girls safe and sheds light on the heartbreaking circumstances of the tragedy.
“However, on January 17, 2025, in the blink of an eye, Josie bolted out the back door of their home likely, drawn to the partially frozen pond. Within minutes, Josie was gone,” it said.
Josie’s parents said they will be donating a portion of the GoFundMe total in their child’s name to bring safety and awareness to autism and prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss.
Josie’s funeral will be held at 9 a.m. Friday before Josie is laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Milford.
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