NEW ORLEANS — UPDATE from NOPD: Both the child involved in the incident and the mother of the child have been positively identified by NOPD. Additionally, the person of interest listed in the earlier press release has been located and detained for questioning at this time. Investigation into this incident is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made as of this writing. No further information is currently available. Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
The New Orleans Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating a vehicle detectives believe was used after a toddler was found on Chef Menteur Highway this week.
Detectives described the car as a newer model Ford Transit. The owner or operator of the vehicle is needed for questioning.
NOPD identified a person of interest for questioning, Makayla Ryan, and discovered she is not a relative of the toddler. She was arrested on one count of falsifying a police report.
Officers did identify the toddler's mother and said "the mother is not currently able to physically care for the child," said in a release.
The child remains in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services.
The New Orleans Police Department asked for the public's assistance on Wednesday, Jul. 31, to help reunite a 12 to 15-month-old toddler with their family.
NOPD said they found the toddler early Wednesday near the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Wilson Drive around 5 p.m.
The department said, "After multiple efforts by the NOPD, no parents or guardians of the infant have been identified, nor has anyone come forward," the release said.
Anyone with information on this infant’s identity or that of his parent(s) is urged to contact the NOPD Special Victims Division Child Abuse Unit immediately at 504-658-5267. Those wishing to report information anonymously can do so by calling Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.
