BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge officials and Baton Rouge Police are pleading for the public’s help in finding a 15-year-old “son of Baton Rouge.” Crime Stoppers is partnering with officials to offer a rare reward for information that leads to the missing teen. Plus, the United Cajun Navy is now adding $5,000 in a separate reward on the teen’s whereabouts.
It’s now been nearly two weeks since 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather was last seen. Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse said he was last seen on June 5 on Bradley Street, in the Foster/Winbourne area. United Cajun Navy Incident Commander Josh Gill previously added that this is known as the “Ghost Town” area of Baton Rouge.
Groups have been out searching for Minnieweather since last week, led by BRPD, United Cajun Navy’s Gill & NaTasha Pickens. The organization, led around 50-60 concerned people of the community on a search of the Ghost Town area on Friday afternoon. More searches continued into this week.
Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards pleaded with the public to share any information about Ja’Derrius Minnieweather and to think of the boy’s family and mother, who are without answers.
“This isn’t a faceless kid; this kid belongs to somebody. This is somebody’s baby,” Edwards said. “A son of Baton Rouge is lost out there. He’s one of ours.”
Police Chief TJ Morse shared updates on the investigation, saying that investigators are using all possible technological and investigative resources to find Minnieweather, but that the public is still important to the search.
“We still have work to do, and we cannot do it alone. We need your help.”
Morse called on neighbors and community members who may have seen anything suspicious on June 5 when he was last seen to come forward and share information, “no matter how insignificant.”
Morse promised that no stone would be unturned in the search, and it’s still early in their investigation into what happened. He added that the primary focus at this time is to bring the missing teen home.
“So far we’ve been exhausting hundreds of hours of manpower on duty and overtime, and all of our investigative and technological resources. We also continue to actively assist in the search. I can assure you that the Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating this disappearance from every angle. No family, no parent should have to experience this. It’s now going on two weeks as this child’s loved ones last saw him,” the chief added.
While investigating leads in Minnieweather’s missing persons case, Maurice Robbia Parms, 50, was arrested on indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer-aided solicitation of a minor. Police interviewed Parms and collected evidence, but Morse did not say if Parms is considered a person of interest in Minnieweather’s disappearance.
Parms bailed out of East Baton Rouge Parish Prison over the weekend.
“I am pleading with Baton Rouge. What happened to Ja’Derrius? We need that information. It’s not if we find out. It’s when we find out,” Edwards said.
Gill said that he’s spoken to Minnieweather’s parents and family every day since he joined the search and hears the “heartbreak in their voices.” He encouraged the public to pull him or any United Cajun Navy member aside to share information. “If you see something, say something.”
“We’ve been here for a few days, boots on the ground, going through the bushes, the mud, the creeks, the garbage cans, the dumpsters, doing everything we can possibly do to help bring Ja’Derrius home. It’s a huge effort.”
Gill added that he and the United Cajun Navy will continue to offer their resources and assistance to Baton Rouge Police and the family in the search.
One of Minnieweather’s family members attended the press conference and addressed the public: “Please help us bring Ja’Derrius home,” Tabitha said through her tears.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 344-STOP. You can also submit an anonymous tip online. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward in Minnieweather’s case, and all tips through this method are completely anonymous.
Capital Regions Crime Stoppers said that the reward will be doubled to $2,000 for tips received within the next 48 hours that lead to finding Minnieweather.
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