Overview

• Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee, and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy, were killed in their Altadena home during the Eaton fire on January 8.
• Family members report that Mitchell called multiple relatives, stating he was waiting for an ambulance that never arrived as the fire approached.
• The Mitchells' inability to evacuate highlights systemic failures in emergency planning for people with disabilities, a long-standing issue in California's disaster response.
• Advocates emphasize that individuals with disabilities face significant barriers during evacuations, including inaccessible shelters, lack of mobility equipment, and communication gaps in emergency alerts.
• The family is demanding answers about why no rescue occurred and why their designated caregiver was not present during the critical moments.