Jefferson Parish Sheriffs are currently searching for a boy who went missing inside the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in the 6300 block of Barataria Boulevard in Marrero.
A 4-year-old Marrero boy went into the water at the Twin Canals around 5:30 pm yesterday and has not been seen since.
Authorities say they fear the boy may not be alive.
As The Times-Picayune | The Advocate reports, "At this point in time, it's a recovery mission," Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said Friday just before noon. "The child never resurfaced."
Search efforts have been continuous since that time with the assistance of the National Park Service, St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, Jean Lafitte Police Department, Jefferson Parish Fire Department, and Southeast Louisiana Underwater Search and Recovery.
The best available sonar and search equipment, divers, and multiple watercraft have been deployed as part of the search efforts.
Sheriffs say they currently have adequate manpower and the equipment necessary to conduct an exhaustive search, we appreciate the offers of assistance from multiple agencies and organizations including the St.
Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office and the Cajun Navy, and know that they stand ready if we need further assistance.
We currently have no evidence that the child is on land, and search efforts are now focused on the area waterways.
The land in the area the child was last seen has been thoroughly searched by multiple parties.
While access to the park is not restricted at this time, please remember that the area is a nature preserve.
It is swampy, covered in dense vegetation, and teeming with potentially dangerous wildlife, including snakes and alligators.
