Latest news with #LouisianaDepartmentofChildrenandFamilyServices
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Trial starts for Baton Rouge man accused of dumping girl's body in another state
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A trial started Monday for a Baton Rouge man accused of dumping the body of a 2-year-old girl, who died after being punched, in a neighboring state in 2021. Phillip Gardner, 34, faces a trial this week after he was formally charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in January 2022. Officers contacted Gardner, who identified himself as the child's stepfather, on Sept. 24, 2021, regarding the missing persons report. He reportedly told police he woke up from a nap to find the front door open and the child, Nevaeh Allen, missing. An affidavit stated that detectives later learned that the child had died after her mother, Lanaya Cardwell, 27, became angry and punched her daughter, which led the child to fall and hit her head on a cabinet. Gardner told investigators he attempted CPR after finding Allen unresponsive after he returned from dropping Cardwell off at work. The Baton Rouge Police Department said Gardner admitted to not calling 911 or police to protect Cardwell and instead put Allen's body in a suitcase, and traveled to Hancock County, Mississippi, to dispose of the body in a 'makeshift grave deep in the woods.' He told detectives that he knew of previous incidents of abuse and did not report them. According to arrest documents, a forensic pathologist said Allen had severe trauma, causing brain swelling, and could not rule out that she was still alive when her body was placed in the suitcase. Gardner and Cardwell were arrested and later pleaded not guilty to charges. Jail records show both are still in custody at East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. A judge had increased the bond for each to $375,000 in October 2021. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services opened an investigation a little over a week after Allen's death. Court records show Cardwell's trial is set to start on Nov. 3, 2025. She was formally charged with second-degree murder in January 2022. Runaway Roo: Escaped kangaroo shuts down Alabama interstate Three House Democrats ask to be removed from Trump impeachment resolution 7-year-old who wanted McDonald's drove 10 miles with little sister in car Vance calls most presidents in Oval Office portraits 'placeholders' Falcons, defensive coordinator fined after prank call to Shedeur Sanders Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Do you qualify? Sun Bucks returns in summer 2025 for some Louisiana families
Sun Bucks is returning to Louisiana for summer 2025, providing families with a one-time $120 grocery benefit for children who qualify for free or reduced school meals. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services made the announcement Monday in a news release. It stated most children who are eligible would be automatically enrolled, so they would not need to apply for the program. See more: Unemployment claims in Louisiana declined last week Louisiana insurance crisis: What to know as Gov. Jeff Landry proposes insurance reform legislation Check it out here: Gulf Coast region gas prices declined from last week "Last year, of the nearly 670,000 Louisiana children that received over $80 million in SUN Bucks benefits, only about 1,500 were determined eligible though the application process," said Sammy Guillory, assistant secretary for family support at DCFS. "The rest were already automatically enrolled." However, families should be sure to update their addresses with any program they use — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program, Kinship Care Subsidy Program or income-based Medicaid. Parents shouldn't forget to update their addresses for their child's school or foster care case so they don't face delays in receiving Sun Bucks benefits. The benefit will begin being issued in the second half of May for those who are automatically enrolled and "continue throughout the summer months as applications are approved or a child's family begins receiving SNAP, FITAP, KCSP, or income-based Medicaid benefits," reads the release. Sun Bucks must be used within 122 days of the issuance date. If not used, benefits will expire and cannot be added back, it reads. For more information about Louisiana SUN Bucks, including Frequently Asked Questions, visit Children born between Aug. 8, 2006, and July 1, 2019, who received SNAP, FITAP, KCSP or Medicaid benefits for those below 185% of the federal poverty level anytime between July 1, 2024 and Aug. 8, 2025. Children who applied and were individually approved to receive free or reduced school meals through the National School Lunch Program. Families previously or already enrolled in SNAP will receive Sun Bucks on their existing EBT card. Families that received Sun Bucks in 2024 will receive 2025 benefits on their same card. New participants not enrolled in SNAP will receive a preloaded card via mail. Call 1-888-997-1117. Visit Use the LifeInCheck EBT mobile app. Log into the CAFE system. Those children who attend Community Eligibility Provision schools but who didn't complete an NSLP application and who don't receive SNAP, FITAP, KCSP or income-based Medicaid will need to apply to determine if they are eligible. Some children may be eligible based on their household's income. To apply, parents can visit For more information, visit This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Does your child qualify? Get Louisiana Sun Bucks information here
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana will offer food assistance to children again this summer; most already enrolled
Children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school are eligible for food assistance over the summer break, state officials announced Monday. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services will participate in the SUN Bucks program again this summer, although Gov. Jeff Landry's administration was at first reluctant to do so a year ago. The state agency is proactively telling families about the program, though it says nearly all participants are already signed up to receive the one-time benefit of $120. 'Most eligible children will be automatically enrolled and do not need to apply,' Sammy Guillory, DCFS assistant secretary for family support, said in a statement. The summer benefits will be added to SNAP recipients' EBT cards or the SUN Bucks card they were issued last summer. The money is available to use for 122 days after it is issued. It will be doled out starting in the second half of May for children already enrolled in the program. To be eligible, children must be born between Aug. 8, 2006, and July 1, 2028 and have received income-based food, financial or Medicaid support since July 1, 2024. The threshold for families to receive the assistance is a household income below 185% of the federal poverty level, which comes to $59,477 for a family of four. Families who no longer have EBT or SUN Bucks cards should call 1-888-997-1117 or visit to request a replacement. Families who need to apply for SUN Bucks can do so online. SUN Bucks evolved from a federal COVID pandemic food aid program that the Biden administration chose to keep in place in 2024. But when states were asked in late 2023 whether they would continue to participate the following summer, Louisiana Education Superintendent Cade Brumley opted out. His department determines eligibility for the program that DCFS administers. Brumley explained at the time he thought it wasn't fair to approve a program the incoming Landry administration would have to shoulder without any say-so. Shortly after his appointment in early 2024, Landry's DCFS secretary, David Matlock, also said his agency wouldn't offer the Summer EBT program because 'families deserve a pathway to self-sufficiency.' He insisted existing programs would cover food needs over the summer, although critics said many families lacked transportation to pick up the 'grab-and-go' prepared meals Matlock was promoting. The secretary later told state lawmakers his priority for any public resources would be addressing staff shortages within his department affecting child welfare. The Landry administration ultimately caved under pressure from Republican lawmakers who noted for every $1 Louisiana spent to administer the summer food program, the state received $1.60 in federal funds. All told, the state stood to miss out on $70 million from Washington. Louisiana was the second poorest state in the nation with a poverty rate of 18.9% in 2023, the most recent data available from the Census Bureau. Last year, nearly 670,000 Louisiana children received SUN Bucks benefits, and almost 100% were automatically enrolled, according to Guillory. Families who have changed their home address are encouraged to update their records with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other assistance programs to avoid delays with receiving food assistance this summer. In 2023, incorrect addresses prevented more than 124,000 children in Louisiana from receiving pandemic food assistance. Several states reported similar problems, but Louisiana was too slow to rectify the issue and lost $16 million in federal aid as a result. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Bayou Blue man accused of sex crimes against four juveniles
BAYOU BLUE, La. (WGNO) — A Bayou Blue man was arrested in Terrebonne Parish following a child sex crimes investigation by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office. According to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, officials recently received notification from the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services of a possible sexual assault of a child from a few years prior. Tangipahoa Parish deputies search for escaped work release inmate The investigation reportedly revealed 60-year-old Herman Dupre as the suspect, and four juveniles as victims. The alleged abuse happened over the course of several years, with the juveniles ranging in age from 7 to 16 years old. Dupre was arrested following the investigation and taken to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux on charges including first-degree rape, molestation of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile, sexual battery and simple battery. His bail is set at $525,000. Anyone who could provide additional information in the investigation is can call LPSO Lieutenant Rodney Morrison with the Criminal Investigations Division at hosts Black History Month event amid DEI crackdown Federal judge denies BRPD officers' request to dismiss 'Brave Cave' lawsuit Speaker Johnson discourages DOGE stimulus checks idea Florida sues Target for 'defrauding investors' by selling LGBTQ+ Pride merchandise Mandeville bans parking along Krewe of Eve parade route, safety enhancements Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
