Louisiana
Missing South Florida girl, 8, found safe in Louisiana in midst of ongoing custody battle between parents
MIAMI — An eight-year-old girl who was reported missing out of South Florida on Friday night has been found in Louisiana amid an ongoing custody battle between her parents.
Police shared in an Instagram post on Saturday afternoon that Liah Meza, from Homestead — a city about 40 miles south of Miami — is now safe with her father Christian Meza.
“We appreciate the community’s vigilance and swift action in helping to locate her,” the agency said. “Thank you to everyone who shared the alert and remained on the lookout. Your support made a difference.”
According to the initial report sent out by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Meza was last seen near the 40th block of NW 1st Ave. in Homestead and believed to be in the company of the girl’s mother Yailen Roche and the mother’s boyfriend Geovany Maresma-Burcet, both 38.
FDLE reported that the trio was traveling to Lafayette, Louisiana in a 2021 white Honda Pilot.
However, Roche and Maresma-Burcet reached out to CBS News Miami before police provided an update because they claimed that Meza was not missing but rather on vacation with them in Louisiana. Roche said they woke up surprised on Saturday morning when they found pictures of them on the news.
“We got in contact with our lawyers,” she told CBS News Miami. “They’re in the process of checking what’s happening because I have not gotten any notification of any… and they’re checking everything to put everything in place.”
CBS News Miami also reached out to Dina Shehata-Hujber, the lawyer for Meza’s father, who said “[Meza] is on her way home to Florida.”
Shehata-Hujber added in a statement that there is ongoing litigation related to the child, saying that there was a court order issued on Thursday, ordering law enforcement “to locate and return the child to Florida and placing her in dad’s sole custody until further order of the court.”
No further details related to Meza’s disappearance and finding were released at this time.
Louisiana
At least 8 children killed in shooting in Louisiana, US
Yasin Gungor
19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.
The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.
The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.
Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”
No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.
Louisiana
‘Growth pays for growth’: Entergy’s Fair Share Plus model to save Louisiana customers $2.8 billion
Louisiana
Thinking of retiring in Louisiana? These are 5 best places to do so
Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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