Account
Oct 21, 2021
Jul 25, 2024
Ellis
Baudean
7
4
36 inches
30 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In the late afternoon of July 15, 2021, four-year-old Ellis Evan Baudean was at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Marrero, Louisiana, with his mother and younger sibling. The family was near the Twin Canals Trail when Ellis, a non-verbal child with autism, disappeared. According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, Ellis's mother reported that she had turned away for a moment to get something from her car when she heard a sound. When she looked back, Ellis was gone, and his younger sibling was pointing towards a nearby canal. The mother immediately entered the water to search for her son but was unable to find him, locating only one of his shoes floating in the dark, duckweed-covered water. Authorities were quickly alerted, and a massive search effort was launched in the dense, swampy parkland. The search involved multiple agencies, including the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, the National Park Service, and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, who utilized divers, sonar technology, and cadaver dogs. From early on, investigators believed that Ellis had accidentally fallen into the canal and was swept away, with Sheriff Joe Lopinto stating that the search was a "recovery mission" as the child never resurfaced. Foul play was not suspected in his disappearance. The search was fraught with challenges due to the difficult terrain, which included murky water with blackout conditions for divers and the presence of alligators. In an attempt to locate Ellis, authorities made the decision to dam and partially drain a 500-foot section of the canal where they believed he had entered the water. A private contractor donated their time and equipment for the construction of a temporary clay dam. However, this effort suffered a significant setback when the dam failed, allowing the water to quickly return to its original levels. Despite the exhaustive search and the efforts to drain the canal, no trace of Ellis Baudean was ever found. More than six months after his disappearance, a vigil was held at the park as community members sought to bring renewed attention to the case, which remains active. Although he is presumed to have drowned, Ellis is still officially classified as a missing person, and his family continues to hope for closure. The case serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the suddenness of tragedy and the enduring pain of unresolved loss.
Jul 15, 2021
Marrero
Louisiana
Jefferson Parish
No
108340
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
Harvey
Louisiana
Jefferson Parish
70058
1233 Westbank Expressway, Louisiana
5043635500
County
Law Enforcement
G-11639-21
2021-07-15
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
5361
Blond/Strawberry
Brown
Brown
05/23/2026
