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NOPD: New Orleans infant found after kidnapping by mother

Nicholas was recently placed under court-ordered custody of the State of Louisiana Child Protective Services and was located at the Elysian Fields Avenue home.
Credit: NOPD

NEW ORLEANS — An infant has reportedly been found by NOPD officers Friday morning after being kidnapped by his mother out of New Orleans. 

According to the NOPD, police were searching for 5-month-old Nicholas Washington and 43-year-old Shawanna Washington,who was wanted for simple kidnapping.

It's unclear if Shawanna Washington was arrested when police found the child. 

Through investigation, detectives said Thursday, Nicholas' mother Shawanna Washington, arrived at a relative's house in the 2100 block of Elysian Fields Avenue to visit where the infant after he was placed there under court-ordered custody of the State of Louisiana Child Protective Services.

Reportedly at about 2:15 p.m. the relative looking after Nicholas stepped away for a moment and claimed that's when Shawanna Washington took the infant and the relative's phone without permission, according to NOPD.

Police said Washington left the location with the infant in an older black van with no visible license plates driven by an unknown male. Washington later called the relative and said she was not going to return the infant.

Credit: NOPD

Nicholas is described as a black male, about 15 pounds, having a bald head and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing red and blue striped pajamas. Police added he currently requires daily medication that he does not have access to following this incident. 

Shawanna Washington is described as a black female, 5’7” 100 pounds with long black hair and was last seen wearing a multi-colored shirt, beige-colored pants and a grey sweatshirt.

Due to safety concerns of the infant, an arrest warrant was obtained for Shawanna Washington on charges of:

  • Simple kidnapping
  • Interference with the custody of a juvenile

Anyone with additional information on this incident or on the whereabouts of Nicholas Washington and/or Shawanna Washington is asked to immediately contact NOPD Special Victims Section Child Abuse Unit Sgt. Nijel Baddoo at 504-658-5267, NOPD Fifth District detectives at 504-658-6050 or call anonymously to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or toll-free 1-877-903-STOP.

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