A Denham Springs man is facing charges of child desertion after a two-year-old and another young child under his care were found walking unaccompanied along a highway.

According to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports on Saturday (Jan. 11), of two children seen wandering Lockhart Road (La. 1026) near the Juniper Street area. Alarmed by the sight of the children navigating the busy roadway without a guardian, a concerned passerby alerted authorities.

Sheriff Jason Ard stated that an investigation revealed the children had left their home on Juniper Street after being left alone. The man responsible for their care, identified as Gabriel Lopez, was subsequently arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on two counts of child desertion.

“The children are safe and are now in the care of appropriate authorities,” Sheriff Ard said in a statement. “This remains an active investigation.”

Gabriel Lopez (Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office via WAFB)
Gabriel Lopez (Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office via WAFB)
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See the full report here via WAFB.

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