A Louisiana mother has been arrested after her 4-year-old son was found dead in a lake at a welcome center and another of her children was found in a ditch off Interstate 10, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed Tuesday.
Authorities began an investigation Monday afternoon when the 4-year-old's body was found in the water outside at the Vinton Welcome Center.
Through the investigation, CPSO learned the boy and his 1-year-old brother were last seen Saturday with their mother, 25-year-old Aaliyah N. Jack of Lake Charles.
Deputies issued a "Be On The Lookout," or BOLO, for Jack as they searched for the baby and continued the investigation and a warrant was issued for her arrest by Lake Charles Magistrate Judge Tony Fazzio.
Jack was taken into custody by police in Meridian, Mississippi. She was arrested on a charge of failure to report a missing child. Fazzio set a bond at $300,000, but it's not clear if Jack has been extradited back to Louisiana. Her 1-year-old son was not with her.
CPSO deputies found the younger boy alive in a ditch on I-10 near the 10 mile marker, between Vinton and Sulphur, on Tuesday morning, according to a news release. A passerby saw the baby and called authorities.
“This is a tragic incident our detectives are currently investigating,” Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory said in a press release.
The coroner will determine cause of death on the 4-year-old boy.
“We understand the community’s concern and are committed to ensuring justice for the children involved," CPSO said in a news release. More charges could occur as the investigation continues.
"We will dedicate all necessary resources to ensure a thorough investigation. Our hearts go out to the family members of these two children.”