Vigil to be held, fundraiser created, to remember and honor 6-year-old autistic Norton girl who died

A vigil will be held to remember and honor a young Bristol County girl who died on Friday.

Dispatch received the initial call for missing 6-year-old Josephine (Josie) Grace Pinto at 2:28 p.m. on Power Street. Norton Fire Department personnel responded to the scene to assist Norton Police in the search.

Due to the proximity of the home to the water, Norton Fire personnel immediately began searching nearby Barrowsville Pond and Wading River.

Norton Police and Fire staged a rescue command post at the bridge across the street from the child’s home.

Multiple Norton firefighters quickly put on cold water rescue suits at the scene. They entered the water to search for the child.

At 3:27 p.m., divers found the juvenile in the water on the Barrowsville side of the bridge over Power Street. EMS performed life-saving efforts at the scene, and in the ambulance during transport. Josie was transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

A vigil will be held today, Monday, at 5:00 p.m. in the parking lot of St Mary’s Parish Center at 1 Power Street in Norton. A limited number of LED candles will be provided, but bring your own if possible.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser created by a mother’s colleague at Stoughton High School, Josie and her twin sister Rosie were diagnosed with Autism.

The fundraiser states that with a large pond in their backyard, their parents diligently safeguarded their entire home to keep the girls safe. However, 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.

The parents intend to donate a portion of the donations in Josie’s name to bring safety and awareness to autism and prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss. The remaining funds will go towards easing the financial strain on the grieving family and caring for their remaining daughter Rosie.

For more on the family’s story, click here.