Newly Formed Critical Response Emergency Search Team (CREST) assists the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office with Safe Recovery of Abducted Two-Year-Old

Region 1 – On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at approximately 1:10 a.m., the Louisiana State Police issued an AMBER Alert on behalf of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office for 2-year-old Christopher Cooper. Through the swift response of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crimes Against Children Unit (FBI VCAC), and Troopers assigned to the newly formed Louisiana State Police Critical Response Emergency Search Team (LSP CREST), Cooper was safely recovered and the kidnapping suspect was apprehended without incident.

LSP CREST responds to critical missing person incidents when notified by the Louisiana State Analytical and Fusion Exchange (LA-SAFE) and the Louisiana Clearinghouse for Missing and Exploited Children. The team may also be mobilized in response to a request from an outside agency. When an incident meets the criteria for deployment, LSP CREST will respond in an assisting role until requested to become the mission lead through an interagency agreement. LSP CREST is comprised of Troopers and Department of Public Safety (DPS) Investigators throughout the state and became officially operational in September. The unit functions as part of the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and is structured into regional teams across the state.

LSP CREST was created to provide a specialized, rapid-response capability for critical missing person cases, including endangered children and vulnerable adults. The team supplements ongoing search and recovery efforts with regional expertise, investigative resources, and advanced technology. By offering a coordinated, statewide response, LSP CREST enhances public safety and provides families and communities with greater assurance that urgent cases will receive immediate, focused attention.

This case exemplifies the critical importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies. Through the swift actions of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office and the joint efforts of the FBI and LSP CREST, the juvenile was quickly and safely recovered.
The public also plays a vital role in the success of AMBER and Silver Alerts by staying informed, sharing information, and reporting any tips that may assist investigators. Alerts are broadcast on local media, shared through the Louisiana State Police website and official social media channels, and in the case of AMBER Alerts, delivered directly to cell phones.

For more information on AMBER or Silver Alerts, please visit the Louisiana State Police website at: https://lsp.org/community-outreach/alerts/.