AMBER ALERT - UPDATE
UPDATE - March 8, 2021
HAMMOND, LA – Chief James “Jimmy” Travis is pleased to report that around 8:15 p.m. on March 5, 2021, 38 – year-old Shawntel Heck was taken into custody by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Heck will be held without bond pending extradition to Tangipahoa Parish. Upon arrival at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail, she will be charged with simple kidnapping and unauthorized use of a movable.
UPDATE – HAMMOND, LA - Yesterday, the sheriff’s office began investigating a vehicle theft and possible child abduction that occurred at a residence in Ponchatoula.
The victim advised deputies that he pulled into his driveway shortly after 3:00 p.m., with his two children secured in their car seats, stopped the car, got out, ran into his shed to grab a tool, and by the time he returned, the vehicle and his children were gone.
During the initial phases of the investigation, we contacted the LSP to assist with the investigation by issuing an Amber alert, and the FBI to assist in locating the children.
As the investigation progressed, the children’s mother, 38-year-old Shawntel Heck was identified as the possible suspect. With the assistance of the LSP and FBI, it was discovered that Heck had ties to Florida.
As a result of the media coverage, a concerned citizen in the Florida area contacted local authorities and gave a possible location of the female and children.
At approximately, 2:30 p.m.. today, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the reported location and subsequently located the children who are now in protective custody. At this time the suspect, Shawntel Heck, is still at large.
Anyone with information as to her whereabouts is asked to contact the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, (985) 345-6150, or Crime Stoppers, (800) 554-JAIL.
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UPDATE- Chief Travis reports that a person of interest has been identified and authorities are attempting to locate the children.
We will release any updated information as it becomes available.
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HAMMOND, LA - Chief Jimmy Travis with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office reports that the Louisiana State Police (LSP) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) are assisting the our office in the search for Kaesyn Heck, an 8 year old white male, and Jax Matthews, a 4 year old white male.
Yesterday, the two boys were inside of their father’s vehicle when it was stolen from his Ponchatoula residence.
The vehicle is a maroon 2013 Hyundai Elantra, Louisiana plate 153AFD. The direction of travel is also unknown.
Any information please contact the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office at 985-345-6150 and Sgt. Bridges at 985-551-0653. No additional information is available at this time.
Our office will be releasing updated information as it becomes available.
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Amber Alert
UPDATE: The Louisiana State Police have upgraded the Level II Child Endangerment Alert to an Amber Alert on behalf of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. They are requesting assistance in locating two white males, Kaesyn Heck, an 8 year old white male, and Jax Matthews, a 4 year old white male. Kaesyn is approximately 5ft. tall and weighs approximately 60 pounds. Jax is approximately 3 ½ ft. tall and 45 pounds. Both Kaesyn and Jax are blonde headed and have “crew cut” style haircuts. Both children are missing and were last seen from their father’s home at 41598 River Rd. Ponchatoula LA. Jax Matthews was last seen wearing a camo jacket and black rubber boots. Kaesyn was last seen wearing a black jacket and blue long sleeve shirt, jeans and black rubber boots. The children were in the vehicle when it was stolen from the residence. The vehicle is a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, Louisiana plate 153AFD. The vehicle is Maroon in color with a busted sunroof. The direction of travel is also unknown. Any information please contact the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office at 985-345-6150 and Sgt. Bridges at 985- 551-0653. No additional information is available at this time.
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The Louisiana State Police has issued a Level II Child Endangerment Alert on behalf of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office. They are requesting assistance in locating two juvenile males, Kaesyn Heck, an 8-year-old white male, and Jax Matthews, a 4-year-old white male. Kaesyn is approximately 5ft. tall and weighs approximately 60 pounds. Jax is approximately 3 ½ ft. tall and 45 pounds. Both Kaesyn and Jax are blonde headed and have “crew cut” style haircuts. Both children are missing and were last seen from their father’s home at 41598 River Rd. Ponchatoula LA. Jax Matthews was last seen wearing a camo jacket and black rubber boots. Kaesyn was last seen wearing a black jacket and blue long sleeve shirt, jeans and black rubber boots.
The children may be riding in a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, Burgundy or Red in color with a busted sunroof. The direction of travel is unknown.
Any information please contact the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office at 985-345-6150 and Sgt. Bridges at 985-551-0653.
No additional information is available at this time.
