The NOPD has arrested four people in the investigation of a 3-year-old juvenile reported missing on June 1, 2023, including the mother of the victim.

NOPD Seventh District detectives began an investigation on October 4, 2023, after learning that the mother of Jrue Kenner allegedly refused to return the child to his father, who is the child's custodial parent, even after being ordered to do so by a judge.

Through investigation, Seventh District detectives along with U.S. Marshals, located Kenner on October 12, 2023, in a remote area of southeastern Louisiana and reunited Kenner with his father.

With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals, the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Department, NOPD Special Victims Division and Seventh District officers, four subjects were taken into custody, on October 12,  after being identified as perpetrators of a simple kidnapping. 

Arrested were: Jaime Johnston (DOB: 9-23-1992), Phyllis Johnston (DOB: 9-18-1957), Gerard Johnston (DOB: 1-20-1950) and Reginald Harrison (DOB:9-17-1991).  Each suspect was charged with simple kidnapping of a child and booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center.

Anyone with additional information about this incident is asked to contact Seventh District detectives at (504) 658-6070.

All persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.

Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD’s Public Affairs Division at nopdpio@nola.gov.