1-year-old kidnapped in Chalmette, abandoned along street near I-510
Jonathan Perkins, 21, wanted on charges of theft, aggravated kidnapping

BY DREW BROACH
JUN 29, 2022

A 1-year-old was kidnapped in a vehicle stolen in Chalmette on Wednesday, and was later found unharmed but abandoned in New Orleans, authorities said. The vehicle, too, was abandoned, but the kidnapper remained at large.

Investigators were seeking Johnathon Perkins, 21, of New Orleans on charges of theft, possession of stolen property and aggravated kidnapping of a juvenile

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office said it was notified at about 11 a.m. that an SUV occupied by a small child had been stolen at a business in the 5300 block of Paris Road. When deputies arrived, a man fled in the vehicle with the child still in it.

"Deputies were able to locate the 1-year-old child alone but unharmed and in good health sitting on the side of the road on an Almonaster Boulevard overpass in New Orleans," the Sheriff's Office said. "The vehicle also was found abandoned in New Orleans on the Desire Street overpass still running with the hazard lights flashing."

Investigators obtained surveillance video that they said led to identifying Perkins, who lives in the 4900 block of Lafaye Street.

Anyone with information on Perkins' whereabouts or the crimes was asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or its criminal investigations bureau at (504) 278-7630. Tipsters also may call the burea's tip hotline, (504) 271-8477 or Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans Inc. at (504) 822-1111.