Ellis Baudean

According to WDSU,

A search effort for a missing 4-year-old boy in the Lafitte National Park has now switched to a recovery effort, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. The boy, identified by family as Ellis Baudean, went into the water at the Twin Canals around 5:30 pm Thursday and has not been seen since, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office says the boy reportedly has autism.

JPSO said search efforts have been continuous since that time with the assistance of the National Park Service, St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, Jean Lafitte Police Department, Jefferson Parish Fire Department, and Southeast Louisiana Underwater Search and Recovery.

The best available sonar and search equipment, divers, and multiple watercraft have been deployed as part of the search efforts, according to Lopinto. "While we currently have adequate manpower and the equipment necessary to conduct an exhaustive search, we appreciate the offers of assistance from multiple agencies and organizations including the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office and the Cajun Navy, and know that they stand ready if we need further assistance," the sheriff said in an issued statement. "We currently have no evidence that the child is on land, and search efforts are now focused on the area waterways. The land in the area the child was last seen has been thoroughly searched by multiple parties.

While access to the park is not restricted at this time, please remember that the area is a nature preserve. It is swampy, covered in dense vegetation, and teeming with potentially dangerous wildlife, including snakes and alligators," the sheriff's statement read. Search efforts are expected to continue into Friday night. WDSU is on the scene. Stick with WDSU.com for more details.

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