In a remarkable turn of events, a days-long search for a missing one-year-old baby in Louisiana concluded successfully when a truck driver spotted the child crawling through the grass alongside Interstate-10. The baby had survived alone outdoors for two days without food or water. Sheriff Gary Guillory of Calcasieu Parish described the discovery as “a miracle.”
The search began on July 8, when police found the baby’s four-year-old brother deceased in a pond near the Vinton Welcome Center. The same day, a press release by the police prompted a media storm that led to the arrest of the boys’ mother, Aaliyah Jack, in Meridian, Mississippi. Jack, who is currently in jail awaiting extradition to Louisiana, faces charges of failing to report a missing child, with the potential for additional charges.
After being found, the baby was taken to a hospital and subsequently released to child protective services. Despite suffering from insect bites, the child was reported to be in good spirits. Sheriff Guillory credited the favorable weather conditions, including cloud cover from remnants of Hurricane Beryl, for helping the baby survive the typically harsh Louisiana summer heat.
The sequence of events leading to the rescue began with the discovery of the four-year-old’s body, prompting an urgent call for media assistance to generate leads. A concerned grandmother’s call about her grandchildren, upon seeing the news reports, led to a broader alert for the missing one-year-old and his mother. Jack was arrested shortly thereafter in Mississippi.
The breakthrough came the following morning when a truck driver reported seeing a baby crawling near the Texas-Louisiana border. This led to the successful rescue of the one-year-old, who is now safe under the care of child protective services. The investigation continues, with the cause of the four-year-old’s death still undetermined pending an autopsy report.
Sheriff Guillory expressed immense relief and gratitude for the child’s safe recovery, emphasizing the collective efforts of law enforcement and the community in this tense and emotional situation.
