UPDATE- Be On The Lookout: Child Taken from Stateline Area
UPDATE- Be On The Lookout: Child Taken from Stateline Area
KENTWOOD(October 1, 2025)- The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with multiple partner agencies, has safely located a kidnapped juvenile and arrested the suspect accused of taking him.
Around 5:45 a.m., a passerby reported to nearby Pike County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) in Mississippi having seen a vehicle matching the description of our BOLO and Louisiana State Police’s (LSP) Amber Alert on 2-year-old Christopher Cooper. Deputies immediately responded to the location along G Smith Road off of Highway 51 in the Kentwood area with assistance from LSP and the FBI.
The vehicle and attached trailer were located parked outside of what turned out to be a large storage building. Deputies were able to locate Cooper sleeping safely in the vehicle while Mercier was located on the property in the vicinity of the vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident and booked on one count of Aggravated Kidnapping of a Child.
At this time, Cooper is being evaluated at an area hospital while interviews with the mother are ongoing. At this time, the relationship between the mother and the suspect is still unclear as are the details about what led to the mother and her child being in the vehicle with Mercier to begin with.
“We are elated at this outcome, but there are still a lot of questions and this investigation is far from over,” said Sheriff Gerald Sticker, “I want to recognize the diligent effort of the men and women of this agency that continues at this moment and for the public’s support in not only spreading the word but being vigilant and reporting critical tips. We say it all the time, but this is proof this community can and will be safe when we all work together.”
We want to thank LSP, PCSO, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, Walker Police and the FBI for their assistance with the quick and safe resolution of this case.
TPSO Public Information Office
Contact Information- pio@tpso.org
