Endangered Children Located Safe in St. Tammany Parish

The  St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that endangered children out of New Orleans were located safe this morning (August 2, 2024) in St. Tammany Parish. STPSO was notified this morning of a Level II Missing Child Endangerment Alert originating from an investigation by the New Orleans Police Department. It was further learned that the two children and the suspect, 36 year-old Alejandra Gutierrez (pictured), may be in the Mandeville area. Mrs. Gutierrez was reported to be a non-custodial parent who has abducted her daughter in the past. 

Around 9:00AM this morning, the vehicle Gutierrez was known to be driving was located in the Mandeville area. Deputies with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office along with the Louisiana State Police Special Victim’s Unit, and FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, responded to the scene. 

The children were found to be safe and in good health, and Gutierrez was arrested as a fugitive from New Orleans Police Department and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Facility where she will await transport to Orleans Parish Prison for warrants issued by the New Orleans Police Department.

The children were later released to the custody of their father.

“Keeping children safe is a responsibility we take seriously as law enforcement. I am proud of my deputies for acting quickly to ensure the safety of these children, and I am grateful for the relationships we have with all of our law enforcement partners which we were able to utilize quickly and yielded a positive outcome.” Sheriff Randy Smith said.