MS Man Captured After 2-Yr. Abducted in Slidell

Orlando Gillum, age 53 and of Mississippi, is in custody after abducting a 2-year-old child, following
a domestic incident in Slidell.

Slidell Police responded last week to a reported domestic disturbance at a residence in the Slidell area. Upon arrival, officers learned that Gillum was involved in a domestic incident with his significant other. As a result of the incident, an adult female, and an infant child, sustained multiple bite wounds.

Following the incident, Gillum took his significant other’s vehicle and fled the scene while a 2-year-old child was still buckled inside. The 2-year-old was later determined not to be related to Gillum.

Slidell Police immediately began working to locate Gillum and determined that he traveled to the Picayune, Mississippi area. With assistance from the Picayune Police Department and the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office, Gillum was located hiding near a residence in Picayune, and was taken into custody without incident. At the time of his arrest, the vehicle and the 2-year-old child were not with him. Within moments, Picayune Police officers located the vehicle abandoned several blocks away, and thankfully found the 2-year-old child safe.

Gillum, who has a lengthy violent criminal history, is being charged with Aggravated Kidnapping of a Child, Domestic Abuse Battery - Child Endangerment, and Cruelty to a Juvenile.

***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***

All involved victims were transported to local hospitals for evaluation.

The Slidell Police Department would like to thank the Picayune Police Department, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police for their swift assistance. Their coordinated efforts were instrumental in safely taking a violent offender into custody and quickly locating the abducted child, ensuring the child was brought to safety. This incident highlights the importance of strong interagency cooperation in protecting our communities and the most vulnerable among us. 

**Note** Officials were in the process of preparing to send an Amber Alert, but the child was located before the need to send the alert.