Latest news with #Bordelon
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Stillborn Infant Reportedly Found in Laundry Shipment Initially Mistaken for a Doll: 'Deeply Distressing Situation'
A stillborn infant was found at Alsco Uniforms in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Tuesday, May 27, according to multiple reports The Texas Funeral Service Commission is investigating after the remains of the child, who was scheduled to be cremated following a funeral at Golden Gate Funeral Home & Crematory in Dallas, were found nearly 200 miles away 'It was a very disturbing scene,' said Corporal Chris Bordelon, per NBCDFW5The remains of a stillborn infant have been found hundreds of miles away at a laundromat in Shreveport, Louisiana, almost two weeks after the child's funeral in Dallas, Texas. At around 5:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 27, the Shreveport Police Department was alerted to a mummified infant having been found wrapped in laundry at Alsco Uniforms on Hollywood Avenue. The commercial dry cleaner is about 190 miles east of Dallas, where the child was stillborn on May 3, CBS News, NBCDFW5, and KBTX3 reported. Following the infant's funeral service at Golden Gate Funeral Home & Crematory on May 17, the remains were scheduled for cremation, according to the outlets. The Alsco Uniforms employee initially mistook the child for a doll, per local media outlet Shreveport Times. 'It was a very disturbing scene,' said Corporal Chris Bordelon, per NBCDFW5. 'Officers found what was a small infant, what was described as mummified.' Detectives on the scene noticed early signs of decomposition and said 'it smelled strongly of formaldehyde,' suggesting that the infant may have been embalmed. 'It was a very bizarre set of circumstances,' Bordelon said, according to NBCDFW5. 'Our violent crimes team began their investigation and were able to track down the load of linens.' Preliminary findings suggest that the deceased infant's remains were mistakenly transported to Shreveport along with soiled linens, per local news outlet WFAA. Police have said no foul play is suspected. "This is a deeply distressing situation," said Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith, according to CBS News. "Our thoughts are with the family of the child as this investigation unfolds." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) was already investigating Golden Gate Funeral Home over separate allegations. Following the new situation, they have broadened their administrative investigation, CBS News reported. "Every decedent is entitled to a respectful and lawful disposition," TFSC Executive Director Scott Bingaman said, per the outlet. "Every Texan deserves both protection from predatory practices and the ability to voice concerns about the services they receive." "This case has created unnecessary and deeply distressing obstacles for a grieving family due to alleged negligence. The commission is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation to determine whether the child's remains were mishandled. If violations are substantiated, appropriate enforcement actions will be taken." Shreveport Police, the TFSC, Alsco Uniforms and Golden Gate Funeral Home & Crematory did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on May 30. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Stillborn Infant Reportedly Found in Laundry Shipment Initially Mistaken for a Doll: 'Deeply Distressing Situation'
A stillborn infant was found at Alsco Uniforms in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Tuesday, May 27, according to multiple reports The Texas Funeral Service Commission is investigating after the remains of the child, who was scheduled to be cremated following a funeral at Golden Gate Funeral Home & Crematory in Dallas, were found nearly 200 miles away 'It was a very disturbing scene,' said Corporal Chris Bordelon, per NBCDFW5The remains of a stillborn infant have been found hundreds of miles away at a laundromat in Shreveport, Louisiana, almost two weeks after the child's funeral in Dallas, Texas. At around 5:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 27, the Shreveport Police Department was alerted to a mummified infant having been found wrapped in laundry at Alsco Uniforms on Hollywood Avenue. The commercial dry cleaner is about 190 miles east of Dallas, where the child was stillborn on May 3, CBS News, NBCDFW5, and KBTX3 reported. Following the infant's funeral service at Golden Gate Funeral Home & Crematory on May 17, the remains were scheduled for cremation, according to the outlets. The Alsco Uniforms employee initially mistook the child for a doll, per local media outlet Shreveport Times. 'It was a very disturbing scene,' said Corporal Chris Bordelon, per NBCDFW5. 'Officers found what was a small infant, what was described as mummified.' Detectives on the scene noticed early signs of decomposition and said 'it smelled strongly of formaldehyde,' suggesting that the infant may have been embalmed. 'It was a very bizarre set of circumstances,' Bordelon said, according to NBCDFW5. 'Our violent crimes team began their investigation and were able to track down the load of linens.' Preliminary findings suggest that the deceased infant's remains were mistakenly transported to Shreveport along with soiled linens, per local news outlet WFAA. Police have said no foul play is suspected. "This is a deeply distressing situation," said Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith, according to CBS News. "Our thoughts are with the family of the child as this investigation unfolds." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) was already investigating Golden Gate Funeral Home over separate allegations. Following the new situation, they have broadened their administrative investigation, CBS News reported. "Every decedent is entitled to a respectful and lawful disposition," TFSC Executive Director Scott Bingaman said, per the outlet. "Every Texan deserves both protection from predatory practices and the ability to voice concerns about the services they receive." "This case has created unnecessary and deeply distressing obstacles for a grieving family due to alleged negligence. The commission is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation to determine whether the child's remains were mishandled. If violations are substantiated, appropriate enforcement actions will be taken." Shreveport Police, the TFSC, Alsco Uniforms and Golden Gate Funeral Home & Crematory did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on May 30. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Confidential ethics complaints against Louisiana officials, gov't workers might be eliminated
Louisiana legislators may eliminate the ability of the public to confidentially or anonymously file complaints about unethical behavior by government workers and elected officials. (Julie O'Donoghue/Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana legislators could remove the public's ability to confidentially or anonymously raise concerns about illegal activity by government employees and elected officials. The Louisiana House and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 10-4 Wednesday for House Bill 160 from Rep. Kellee Dickerson, R-Denham Springs, despite a warning from the state ethics board that it would have a 'chilling effect' on ethics complaints about public employees and leaders. All four lawmakers who voted against the proposal are Republicans. 'The Board regularly receives complaints requesting that the complainant's identity remain confidential due to fears of retaliation,' state Ethics Administrator David Bordelon wrote in a letter to the committee sent Monday on behalf of ethics board members. 'This is seen most often when a complaint is received from an individual who has information regarding a potential violation by a supervisor or their local elected official.' 'The board still supports that during the investigation the complainant should remain confidential,' Bordelon said Wednesday during a legislative hearing on the proposal. Dickerson's legislation would require the ethics board to provide the identity of anyone who reported an ethics complaint to the target of the investigation. Currently, the identity of a complainant remains unknown to anyone outside of the ethics board and staff, unless the person chooses to identify themselves. 'If any of you have had to go before the ethics board, it is a very intense process,' Dickerson said Wednesday during the committee hearing. 'When you're brought before the ethics committee, who has quite the reputation … It's difficult.' 'This is to kind of bring some of those frivolous, if you will, complaints down and to help you face your accuser,' she said. Dickerson's legislation would also eliminate the ability to file an ethics complaint against someone anonymously. From 2020-23, the ethics board also received 137 anonymous complaints – where the board and staff doesn't even know the identity of the complainant – that would no longer be allowed. In her bill, Dickerson said she's tried to protect those who report ethics violations from retaliation. It includes a provision to allow lawsuits to be filed against anyone who threatens or coerces someone into not raising a concern with the ethics board. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Yet Bordelon said the proposal would also create an inconsistency when it comes to the confidentiality of potential whistleblowers. Dickerson's bill only eliminates confidentiality for people complaining about government ethics violations. People who report illegal activity related to political campaign fundraising and spending would still be allowed to keep their identity from the target of the investigation, he said. Dickerson's bill is also part of a broader effort since Gov. Jeff Landry came into office to weaken the authority of the ethics board and water down anti-corruption laws. Two other major bills are moving through the Legislature this session that would make it harder to investigate government ethics and political campaign wrongdoing. Last year, Landry and lawmakers passed legislation to allow the governor to have more influence over ethics board appointees. The ethics board oversees the enforcement of laws related to government corruption, nepotism, lobbying and political campaign finances. It supervises the activities of state and local government, including public employees and elected officials at all levels. Landry has had several personal disputes with the ethics board dating back to when he became attorney general in 2016. Most recently, he has been in negotiations over ethics charges the board filed against him in 2023 for not disclosing a trip he took to Hawaii on a political donor's private plane. On top of eliminating confidential and anonymous complaints, Dickerson's bill would also create other challenges for launching an ethics investigation. It limits the materials ethics board members can use to instigate a probe. They would only be able to look into misconduct if an individual filed a formal complaint with the board. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Currently, the board uses a much wider swath of information to launch its investigations. They can initiate inquiries based on state legislative audits, news coverage and required annual reports from the heads of state agencies on potential ethics violations in their departments. All of those avenues for pursuing an ethics investigation would be cut off if Dickerson's bill becomes law. Almost half of the board's 177 investigations from 2020-23 that resulted in a discovery of wrongdoing came from either a legislative audit (21), one of the annual state agency head reports (44) or a news story (18), according to information provided by the ethics board. None of these investigations would have been launched if Dickerson's legislation had been in place. Also, a large number of the ethics complaints would also have to be filed in person at the ethics board's office in downtown Baton Rouge under Dickerson's bill. All 'non-sworn' complaints from an individual would have to be delivered by hand, and the person would have to present their government-issued identification when dropping it off. 'Sworn' complaints – those made under a legal oath attesting to the truthfulness of its statements – could be delivered by mail, fax or electronic means, under Dickerson's legislation. The in-person delivery standard for 'non-sworn' complaints would apply to people making complaints about local government officials in all corners of the state. For example, a person who was complaining about potential problems with a local official in Bastrop, in the far northeastern part of the state would have to drive to Baton Rouge to submit their concerns. From 2020-23, the board received more than four times as many 'non-sworn' complaints as sworn ones from the public, according to information the ethics staff provided. Non-sworn complaints also resulted in the largest number of 'findings' of an ethics violation. Out of the 177 cases where the board concluded there was wrongdoing, 52 came from non-sworn complaints during the four-year period. Voting in favor of the bill: Reps. Michael Bayham, R-Chalmette; Beth Billings, R-Destrehan; Wilford Carter, D-Lake Charles; Ed Larvadain, D-Alexandria; Rodney Lyons, D-Marrero; Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge; Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge; Candance Newell, D-New Orleans; Rodney Schamerhorn, R-Hornbeck; and John Wyble, R-Franklinton. Voting against the bill: Reps. Les Farnum. R-Sulphur; Foy Gadberry, R-West Monroe; Polly Thomas, R-Metairie; and Mark Wright, R-Covington.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Highland residents respond to squatter solution
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Ordinance 18, proposed by Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux and approved by the Shreveport City Council, is a solution to the ever-growing squatting problem. 'Illegal squatting is not just a property issue—it's a public safety crisis that has contributed to increased crime, drug activity, and quality-of-life concerns for our residents,' Arceneaux said. Corporal Chris Bordelon with the Shreveport Police Department says this new ordinance allows the city to be the complainant rather than a homeowner. Unfortunately, with squatters, the homeowner is typically difficult to reach or is an LLC. Portal on Louisiana State Treasurer website allows public view of school district spending 'This will give us an opportunity to cite individuals that are on property that doesn't belong to them, and that doesn't have working utilities, meaning that it doesn't have water or electricity those types of things, so it allows the state to be the complainant, or the city in this case to be the complainant,' said Bordelon. The ordinance gives SPD a new crime for which they can cite individuals. The Highland Neighborhood Association has had a Squatting Task Force since April 2024. They have also had neighborhood meetings with city officials, SPD, property standards, and the attorney since July 2024. 'This is what we've been hoping for is an option for neighbors to, you know, people who live there and see the houses, and know that they are vacant or that they should be vacant and they're not habitable, to call and report and issue going on inside of houses,' said Charlotte Russell, president of the Highland Neighborhood Association. The ordinance will go into effect Thursday, April 3, 2025, paired with an SPD initiative A.S.K. B.L.U.E. (Addressing Squatters Knowledgeably – Bold Legal Unified Efforts). CenterPoint Energy sells Louisiana facilities Phase 1: Community engagement: SPD will launch a public awareness campaign encouraging residents to report squatting locations through Port City 311 or call SPD at 318-673-6950. Phase 2: Investigation & enforcement: Law enforcement teams will verify reports, identify offenders, educate squatters on the new law, and offer resources and alternatives. Phase 3. Saturation and arrests: SPD will deploy patrols to heavily impacted areas, issue citations, execute outstanding warrants, and make arrests where necessary. 'The goal of the police department is not to arrest everybody in the city for squatting. However, there are situations in which we have to take action to preserve our community, to preserve our neighborhoods, and this just gives us a legal way to do so,' Bordelon said. Increased police presence, patrol details coming to downtown Shreveport Bordelon also applauds Arceneaux, who proposed the ordinance, for having the idea to take the civil side of litigation and turn it into a criminal ordinance. Russell says this is a step forward in the historic area of Highland, where vacant homes affect the quality of life. 'We are hoping that we'll be able to quantify the blight in our neighborhood, the vacant houses, the boarded-up houses, houses that are falling down or burned out so that we can work with local organizations and the city to address those concerns,' said Russell. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Suspected retail thieves arrested during Shreveport police sting operation
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Shreveport police tell NBC 6 that now that violent crime numbers are down, the department has more resources to focus on retail theft. 'March 2025 Blitz' was a Shreveport police operation at stores like Target, Lowe's, Bath and Body Works, and TJ Maxx. Police said retail theft is not considered organized crime because many of the items end up on the black market. Police PIO Chris Bordelon said, 'There is a market for these stolen items, and they are stealing from multiple stores, and it usually involves multiple individuals working together.' SPD officers save suspect's life after high speed chase, crash Eight people were arrested during the sting operation, including Michael Griffin, who was charged with habitual felony theft because he has 19 prior convictions for theft. Bordelon said there will be more sting operations targeting shoplifters. He went on to say, 'It's a large-scale operation; it involves takedown cars, undercover offices, officers watching videos, and the use of drones.' Retail theft is not a victimless crime. Bordelon said, 'When they steal from the store, they pass that price on to the next person who legally purchases it, and that's something we are not going to allow in our city.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
