Vinton, Louisiana – A 1-year-old boy was rescued by a trucker after being found crawling in a ditch along Interstate 10 in Louisiana following the tragic discovery of his 4-year-old brother’s body in a nearby body of water. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that the baby was found in southwestern Louisiana near the Texas border on Tuesday. The boys’ mother, Aaliya Jack, was arrested in Meridian, Mississippi, and charged with failure to report a missing child.
Authorities are currently investigating the events that led to the discoveries of the two boys, with a coroner assessing the cause of the 4-year-old’s death. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff referred to the 1-year-old as a “miracle baby” for surviving the adverse conditions after being stranded for two days.
During a news conference, Sheriff Gary “Stitch” Guillory expressed amazement at the baby’s resilience after enduring the harsh elements for such an extended period. The National Weather Service documented severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, and fog in nearby areas, due to Hurricane Beryl’s landfall on the Texas coast triggering tornadoes and power outages in Texas and Louisiana.
The unfolding tragedy began when officers discovered the 4-year-old’s body at a rest stop in Vinton, prompting an arrest warrant for the mother, who was found attempting to leave town in Mississippi without the 1-year-old. The toddler was later found in good condition by a passing trucker on the interstate and taken into the care of Louisiana’s Department of Child and Family Services.
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff expressed gratitude for the trucker’s swift action in contacting emergency services upon spotting the baby in need. Despite sustaining insect bites, the baby was in good spirits and recovering well after receiving medical attention. Additional updates from the Sheriff’s Office indicate that the 1-year-old is now under the care of child services following his hospital release, as the investigation continues to unfold.
In a poignant statement, the boys’ grandmother, Conswella Jack, conveyed mixed emotions upon learning of the baby’s survival amidst the loss of one child. She recounted her last interactions with her daughter and grandsons, shedding light on the events leading up to the tragic discovery. Authorities remain on edge awaiting the coroner’s report on the 4-year-old’s cause of death for further clarity on the heartbreaking incident in Vinton, Louisiana.