LAPLACE -- What might have become a tragedy of one sort turned into one of another sort, as a 4-year-old child was missing for 17 hours.
The child was later found safe and unharmed, but her mother was booked for criminal abandonment.
|
|
When last seen, at about 6 p.m., Vicky had been riding her bicycle in the area, wearing a dark blue sundress and yellow flip-flops.
Immediately, the St. John Sheriff's Office launched a full search of the neighborhood, led by Detective Freddie Young of Juvenile Division, using everything from four-wheelers to a loaned helicopter, trying to locate the tiny blonde-haired child, only 3-0 in height and 50 pounds.
For hours and hours, the search went on, until finally at about 11 a.m. Monday, the child was located at a neighbor's trailer, where the child had spent the night.
The girl was reported unharmed in any way, but was taken to Children's Hospital as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, Tregre said, Kellie Roussel was arrested and charged with criminal abandonment and on an outstanding felony warrant from St. James Parish
Tregre said this was not Roussel's first offense. She had already lost custody of two older children, and it was likely she would lose custody of Victoria and another sibling.
Tregre said the child was located, just after an “Amber Alert” had been issued.
Comments
Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The L'Observateur is not liable for messages from third parties.
DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in The L'Observateur reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of L'Observateur. L'Observateur does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized L'Observateur spokespersons.
Thank you for your comments!