A truck driver found a 1-year-old “miracle baby” in a ditch near a highway in Louisiana on July 9, 2024. The baby reportedly survived in the ditch for two days before the truck driver spotted him crawling toward the highway, reported KATC.
The baby was found the day after his 4-year-old brother was found dead in water behind the Vinton Welcome Center in Vinton, Louisiana. Their mother, Aaliyah N. Jack, 25, has been arrested and charged with failure to report a missing child, with additional charges expected. The investigation is ongoing, according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office.
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The 1-year-old was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition, the sheriff's office shared in a statement. He is now in state care.
Calcasieu Sheriff Gary "Stitch" Guillory explained that the baby is considered to be a "miracle baby" because the fact that he survived there for two days, despite weather conditions from Hurricane Beryl. Guillory described it as "unbelievable."
"This kid spent two days out in the weather on the side of the highway," Guillory said, reported KATC. "Thank God that trucker saw him. When you look at the video, there he was, crawling toward the highway."
On Facebook, the sheriff's office noted that the mother's arrest is "an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged." However, they made it clear that "a person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
"We understand the community’s concern and are committed to ensuring justice for the children involved," Guillory said, according to the post. "CPSO detectives are actively working to gather all the information and details surrounding this case and the death of the 4 year old."
The "miracle baby" had some visible bug bites, Guillory said, but "he is now safe and in the care of authorities."
The children's mother was found before the truck driver spotted the 1-year-old. After an alert to law enforcement agencies in the area was issued, she was found at a train station in Mississippi.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child), or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
