An 8-month-old baby who went missing in Louisiana was discovered healthy and in good spirits in what authorities have called a miracle.
EMS spokesperson Mike Chuzta told WAFB that the infant Niguel Jackson did not cry during the rescue on March 16. He was discovered in an open field in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with temperatures in the 50s.
“The medics jumped on him and started treating him right away and … I think he’s gonna be fine,” Chuzta told reporters. “You know, it’s still in a dangerous area, but still think that it’s just a miracle basically to see the condition he was in. I did not expect that at all.”
Niguel went missing the day before when his mother went to a local fire station. Police said she had a medical emergency, and she went to the station to seek help and was transported to the hospital.
She alerted authorities of the missing child when she was being transferred to another facility the following day. Family members confirmed the mother had the baby with her when she left home. She was able to point authorities in the direction where the baby was found, and they were reportedly able to locate him quickly.
Rescuers used a helicopter in the multi-agency mission to find Niguel on the ground. Baton Rouge Police Cpl. David Poirrier said they searched the open field close to the mother’s apartment for a blue onesie. He was able to find the baby within five minutes.
Poirrier said the rescue mission would not have been successful without collaborative effort and quick thinking by everyone involved.
“It took everything from the fire department reporting the mother to get help to the hospital, to staff recognizing that the mother needed help and believing her story that she had a child that was outstanding even having people having the mindset to bring the mother to the scene to help narrow down our search allow for a successful outcome,” he said.
Niguel is reportedly in good health and at home with his other relatives.
“He is so amazing…so sweet and kind,” Niguel’s grandmother told WAFB.
Authorities will not be considering any charges against the mother. It is unclear what type of medical crisis she was experiencing. Officials encouraged anyone facing a medical or mental crisis to seek help.
