Local News
Lake Charles Father Seeks Public’s Help in Locating Missing Children Believed to Be with Non-Custodial Mother
LAKE CHARLES, LA – A father in Lake Charles is seeking assistance in locating his two young children, who are believed to be in the custody of their non-custodial mother despite a court order mandating their return.
Six-year-old Cohen Desormeaux and five-year-old Colton Desormeaux are listed as missing on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s website.
While authorities have issued an arrest warrant for their mother, 41-year-old Sharlene Desormeaux, investigators do not believe the children are in immediate danger.
According to the children’s father, Chase Desormeaux, he last saw his sons on June 12 in Lake Charles.
A judge later ordered Sharlene Desormeaux to return the children to him, but she allegedly refused to comply.
After months of unsuccessful attempts to contact her, Chase Desormeaux reported the matter to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) on October 30.
CPSO spokesperson Kayla Vincent confirmed that detectives attempted multiple times to reach Sharlene Desormeaux but were unsuccessful.
Consequently, on November 3, a warrant was issued for her arrest on a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of a court order. Her bond was set at $25,000.
Court documents indicate that Chase Desormeaux was granted sole custody of the children on November 15, and the formal custody order was signed on November 18. He reported the children missing that same day.
Authorities believe Sharlene Desormeaux has left the Calcasieu Parish area.
However, an Amber Alert has not been issued because officials do not consider the children to be in immediate danger.
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate, and anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cohen and Colton Desormeaux is urged to contact CPSO at (337) 491-3795.
The family, represented by attorney Samuel Ducote, is offering a reward for any information that leads to the safe recovery of the children.
SURF CITY, N.C. — Emergency crews are battling a large multi-structure fire in Surf City that has already destroyed at least three homes and a large boat, according to reports from the scene and emergency radio traffic.
The blaze reportedly began near 5th Street, directly across from The Trailer Bar, and quickly spread to multiple nearby residences and a docked vessel.
Witnesses described seeing towering flames and heavy smoke visible from several blocks away as firefighters worked to contain the rapidly expanding fire.
Scanner reports indicate that multiple fire departments and emergency agencies from surrounding areas have been dispatched to assist Surf City Fire and Rescue in controlling the blaze and preventing it from spreading further.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire or whether there are any injuries.
Residents in the area were urged to avoid 5th Street and surrounding roads to allow emergency personnel full access to the scene.
This is a developing story, and additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available from Surf City officials and emergency services.