Found Safe LA - Kaesyn Heck, 8, & Jax Matthews, 4, inside stolen car, Ponchatoula Tangipahoa Parish; 3 Mar 2021

[imstilla.grandma]

The car was located near Milton, Fla. with the children still inside. The boys were placed into protective custody.

Deputies say the boy’s mother, Shawntel Heck, 38, fled on foot. A warrant has been issued for her arrest on simple kidnapping and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Ponchatoula boys located in Florida; mother suspected of kidnapping fled on foot


Sheriff Jimmy Travis said the boys were in good condition physically, but said he didn't know about their mental state.

"They were able to locate the children but the female fled on foot. They’re still searching for her. The children are currently in protective custody," he said. "They appear to be safe and fine."

Police now believe the boys' mother, Shawntel Heck, got a ride to the home of the boys' father from a Good Samaritan. When she arrived, she found the boys in their dad's car while he was getting a tool from the shed.

According to police, Heck got in the car and took off, headed for her family's home in Florida and leaving no initial clues as to who had taken the boys.

A witness was able to identify her, and the FBI contacted the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office because Heck reportedly had family in the area.

Deputies there spotted the stolen car and found Heck with the boys nearby. She fled into a nearby wooded area while they were focused on the children.

"This is still fluid in Florida because they don’t have her in custody yet," Travis said. "There is a search going on to take her into custody."

Warrants for her arrest have been issued in Tangipahoa Parish for simple kidnapping and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Both are felonies.
Police find two missing Louisiana boys in Florida, hunt on for biological mother | wwltv.com

 

[CaptKzin1]

WWL was reporting an update on this at 4PM. Is there anything new yet?

 

[CaptKzin1]

Thanks for the update

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Thanks for the update

Welcome to WS. I think you are going to like being here.

ETA:
Using this post to post possible relevancy to Louisiana children:

In Louisiana, a state that ranked the absolute worst for children during the pandemic, 50% of families struggled to cover basic household expenses while 25% did not have enough to eat and another 25% did not have regular access to the internet or a digital device that could be used for educational purposes.
New Report Finds Louisiana Is The Worst State For Children During The Pandemic

 

[mlhenn]

I think what seems off is the fact that when dad posted about it, he didn't say the kids were in the car. More like the car was stolen. For me, and most people, I would think that the children being in the car might be one of the first details I would make sure everyone knew. However, I absolutely adore my kids, but maybe it's just a mom thing.

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Comment included under post that may help answer that question.

 

[mlhenn]

https://www.katc.com/news/covering-louisiana/state-police-issue-child-endangerment-alert-for-two-missing-boys-from-tangipahoa-parish

UPDATE: Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Chief Jimmy Travis has confirmed that the two boys reported missing from Pontchatoula Wednesday have been found safe in Florida.


According to Travis, Heck, who no longer lived at the residence where the boys were last seen, had "obtained a ride to the residence, where she saw the car and the kids in it, she got into the car and she fled."

Heck has warrants out for her arrest on one charge of simple kidnapping and one charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Both boys are in protective custody of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office.

 

[swanniee11]

Facebook
older Facebook
older Shawntel Heck
There's probably more. Not sure if this is really needed but since she's named I thought I would add. IMO

Very happy the kids are safe. This could have been handled in so many other ways. IMO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Amber alert canceled.
WKRG | Missing Louisiana children found safe in Santa Rosa County, biological mother wanted for kidnapping

 

[YaYa_521]

Shawntel has been arrested.

https://www.katc.com/news/covering-...ing-suspect-tired-of-running-turns-herself-in
Posted at 12:41 PM, Mar 06, 2021 and last updated 12:41 PM, Mar 06, 2021

According to WGNO, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office says 38-year-old Shawntel Heck contacted a deputy, saying she was "tired of running" and wanted to turn herself in.

ETA photo -

 

[mlhenn]

Louisiana kidnapping suspect says she’s “tired of running” | KTVE - myarklamiss.com

Santa Rosa, FL– A 38-year-old Louisiana woman wanted for her role in kidnapping her children in Ponchatoula, LA. has turned herself in.

Shawntel Nicole Heck has been facing extensive charges from multiple agencies for the kidnapping.

The Santa Rosa County’s Sheriff’s office says Heck contacted a deputy citing that she was “tired of running,” and wanted to turn herself in. WKRG reports that she is being held without bond in Santa Rosa on Louisiana charges.