A 1-year-old “miracle baby” survived two days alone in a ditch along a Louisiana highway, just a few miles from where the body of his 4-year-old brother was discovered, authorities reported. The children’s mother, Aaliyah N. Jack, was arrested at a train station in Mississippi while allegedly “trying to get out of town,” according to Calcasieu Sheriff Sttch Guillory during a Tuesday afternoon press conference.
Discovery of the Body
Authorities in Louisiana were alerted on Monday afternoon to a body found in the water behind the Vinton Welcome Center, a rest stop in Calcasieu Parish. The body was identified as that of a 4-year-old child. The cause of death has not yet been determined.
dentification and Investigation
Sheriff Guillory explained that deputies issued a media release seeking public assistance in identifying the child. A concerned individual contacted the sheriff’s office, stating that they had not seen some family members and believed the child could be their relative. During the investigation, it was discovered that the 4-year-old had last been seen with his mother, Aaliyah N. Jack, and his 1-year-old brother. The sheriff’s office has not released the names of the children.
Mother’s Arrest and Search for Missing Child
Following the identification, nearby law enforcement agencies were alerted to be on the lookout for Jack and the 1-year-old child. An arrest warrant was issued for Jack for failure to report a missing child. On Monday night, police officers in Meridian, Mississippi, located and arrested Jack. They did not comment further on the case.
Miracle Baby’s Rescue
The 1-year-old was found alive on Tuesday morning after a truck driver spotted him in a ditch near Interstate-10. Local NBC affiliate KPLC of Lake Charles reported that the ditch was only a few miles from where the 4-year-old’s body was found. Sheriff Guillory said, “The baby survived two days alone in harsh conditions, and his survival is nothing short of a miracle.”
Community Reaction and Next Steps
The news of the survival and tragic death has shocked the local community. The investigation into the circumstances leading to these events is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the cause of the 4-year-old’s death and the sequence of events that led to the abandonment of the children.
The sheriff’s office is urging anyone with information about the case to come forward as they continue to piece together the details. The well-being of the surviving child is being closely monitored, and arrangements are being made for his care.
