Disabled Father and Son Perish in L.A. Wildfires After Rescue Fails

Family questions emergency response after Anthony Mitchell, an amputee, and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy, were unable to evacuate their Altadena home.

• 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.

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