BATON ROUGE — A search is ongoing in the case of a missing mother and her daughter in Louisiana. The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office & State Police are now searching for the missing pair. Their family is worried and just wants them to come home.
Baton Rouge Police confirmed to UWK that the pair was reported missing to them around mid-July.
Danielle Lea and her daughter Alayna, 10, were last seen between April & May in East Feliciana Parish, according to law enforcement and family.
Sources tell UWK that search parties searched near the Atchafalaya Basin in connection to their disappearance roughly a week ago. UWK has also learned that multiple law enforcement agencies in Louisiana are involved in the ongoing investigation into the missing mother and daughter, including the U.S. Marshals.
Danielle & Alayna
“We just want them back.” That’s what the family of missing mother and daughter—Danielle Lea and Alayna—are saying.
The family is concerned about the pair because Alayna, who is 10, and Danielle both have medical conditions that require medication. They do not know if they have had access to their prescription meds.
A family member, who asked not to be publicly identified, spoke to UWK about the situation, saying that Danielle met a man named James Michael Nona earlier this year, possibly in April. Then in May, Danielle allegedly told family they were moving to Brownsville, Texas.
The family is desperate for news about both mom and daughter.
“Alayna—she never meets a stranger. She always has a smile on her face. She is the bright light in the room, she’s truly the bright light in a room full of darkness.”
Danielle, who is 39, is also known for her kind nature: “Danielle has such a genuine heart. She loves her family and would do anything for her family. She only wants love and acceptance.”
The arrest of James Michael Nona in Texas
Law enforcement sources and family of the missing mother and daughter say a man last seen with the pair was arrested in Galveston on July 27th. He’s been identified as James Michael Nona and is charged with an out-of-county warrant. UWK has learned that he was arrested for failure to register as a sex offender in a Louisiana parish. He is now in the Montgomery County Jail.
The mother and daughter were not with him at the time of his arrest and it’s why the search is underway for the two. Law enforcement has not released any official details at this time on what his connection, if any, is to the case.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is encouraged to contact BRPD at (225) 389-2000 or call Crime Stoppers at 344-STOP. You can also submit an anonymous tip online.
Download the Unfiltered with Kiran app from the Apple App Store and Google Play to stay updated on the latest news across the Capital area.
Support UWK and its mission to deliver The News You Deserve. Unfiltered. Become a monthly patron on Patreon today!
