An alert Louisiana State Police trooper located and missing child and his grandfather on Independence Day.
The New Orleans Police Department contacted Louisiana State Police about a missing child around 3 a.m. on July after 3-year-old Roshei Selmon and 45-year-old Roland Williams were reported missing by their family, according to a news release.
Authorities issued a Level II Endangered/Missing Child Advisory due to the fact that Williams suffers from a medical condition which impairs his judgment. Williams was believed to have been traveling with the child in a beige/tan 2007 Cadillac DTS.
Louisiana State Police broadcast the missing person information to all on-duty troopers, and shortly after 6 a.m., a trooper from State Police Troop A in Baton Rouge spotted the vehicle at a convenience store on Satsuma Rd. near I-12 in Livingston Parish.
After discovering that the vehicle was unoccupied, the trooper entered the building to search for the child and his grandfather. Upon searching the building, the trooper located both Selmon and Williams in the restroom area of the store.
Both were unharmed and in good condition. While awaiting confirmation of Selmon and Williams' identity, the trooper provided them both with food and water.
The New Orleans Police Department and the family of Selmon and Williams were contacted about the recovery.
Acadian Ambulance was dispatched to the scene as a precaution, and checked both Selmon and his grandfather for any injuries. Both were in good health, and were released to family members to return home.
"Far too often law enforcement and other public safety agencies are called to respond to tragic events," Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson said in a statement. "However, in this darkness, we never stop searching for the light of hope. The successful recovery of this young child and his grandfather are our beacon today. Working together with our public safety partners for positive resolutions are why we do what we do."
