Lake Charles, La. - Within minutes of receiving a lookout that originated with the Houston Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the New Orleans Sector located a reported missing child on Thursday, June 22.
The two-year old boy was reported missing by his mother in Houston. The mother believed that the boy's estranged father had taken custody of him and fled to the New Orleans area. Border Patrol agents received the information from the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office and within 30 minutes of receiving the information, located the child and estranged father in Lake Charles, La.
This case shows the improved communications and strengthened partnerships between the Border Patrol and other law enforcement agencies throughout New Orleans and the multiple state area that defines the New Orleans Sector's area of responsibility. On this occasion, the unified efforts of the involved law enforcement agencies verified the welfare of a small child within minutes of receiving the information. These types of unified efforts are employed to make our communities and borders safer places.
Houston PD and the Calcasieu Sheriff's Office will continue to investigate the case.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.