Update 2 – The New Orleans Police Department is searching for a vehicle of interest in connection to this investigation. Around 5 p.m. on July 31, 2024, a young male child was found at the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Wilson Drive.

NOPD Special Victims Section Child Abuse Unit detectives say they identified and developed Makayla Ryan as a suspect in the incident. Ryan was booked on one count of filing false public records.

Detectives are also looking for the vehicle in the picture. NOPD detectives believe the vehicle was used in connection to this incident. As a result, detectives are looking for the owner and operator of the automobile.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 504-658-5267 or Crime Stoppers at 504-822-1111.

 

Update – NOPD has provided an update on the child found at the intersection of Chef Menteur Highway and Wilson Drive. On August 1, 2024, NOPD located the person of interest in the case, Makayla Ryan, and detained her for questioning.

NOPD says it was determined that Ryan is not a relative of the child. Ryan was arrested on one count of falsifying a police report in connection to the incident. The child’s mother has been identified and located.

However, the mother is not currently able to physically care for the child. NOPD says the child will remain in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services until the matter is further assessed.

No other details are available at this time.

Original – The New Orleans Police Department is searching for a woman after an infant was found earlier on Wednesday. NOPD reports that an infant male between the ages of 12 and 15 months was found near Chef Menteur Highway and Wilson Drive.

NOPD has been unable to find the parents or guardians. In an update, NOPD reported that it was searching for Makayla Ryan for questioning as a person of interest in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call NOPD’s Special Victims Division Child Abuse Unit at 504-658-5267 or Crime Stoppers at 504-822-1111.

 

 

UPDATE: Makayla Ryan (pictured, black female, DOB: 03-13-2001) sought for questioning as person of interest in this case. Call #NOPD Special Victims Division Child Abuse Unit detectives at 504-658-5267 or @CrimestopperGNO at 504-822-1111 w/any info on her whereabouts. (3/3) pic.twitter.com/TAbtmW4fBw

— New Orleans Police Department (@NOPDNews) August 1, 2024