Louisiana
Campaign to prevent child abuse online launches as Louisiana agents see increase in cases
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – There’s a new push to help protect your child while they are online. The Department of Homeland Security launched its Know2Protect campaign on Wednesday. It’s shining a light on the crime of online child sexual exploitation and abuse so that families understand the risks.
“We have more cases than are humanly possible to work,” said Supervisory Special Agent David Ferris.
Ferris works in the cyber crime unit in the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.
“We’re seeing a lot more children online. You’re seeing a lot more individuals who have access to the internet 24 hours a day,” explained Ferris.
Ferris said they are seeing multi-fold increases in the number of cases with the increases starting back in 2020. He said in 2021, there were about 4,000 cases. In 2022, the number increased to 6,100. In 2023, it almost doubled to more than 11,000 cases. Agents attribute the increase to social media companies reporting suspected bad behavior as technology constantly changes.
Ferris said don’t cut off the internet completely because that’s not realistic. He explained that you should do research to know about the apps your child is using. He also added that parents should keep phones and the internet out of a child’s room and keep it in an open space where you can control the environment.
“It’s a window to the outside world and so just like your child can see everything that’s going on through that social media app, the world gets to see everything that’s going on with your child,” said Ferris.
Ferris said they are starting to see sextortion cases involving the use of AI (artificial intelligence).
If you believe a child has been the victim of online exploitation or abuse, call the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office Cyber Crime Unit at 225-326-6100.
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Copyright 2024 WAFB. All rights reserved.
BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) — Governor Landry has officially declared Louisiana under state of emergency.
The state emergency declaration covers Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes.
The declaration was issued Thursday following the impacts of Tropical Storm Arthur, which brough rainfall and strong storms to parts of the state on June 17 and 18.
Officials said the National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes tied to the storm system.
Officials also reported record or near-record rainfall totals in Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee parishes over a 12-hour period.
The order allows the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to coordinate resources and provide assistance to local governments if needed.
Certain state purchasing and bidding requirements have been temporarily suspended to speed up emergency response efforts.
The declaration took effect immediately and will remain in place through July 18 unless it is lifted or extended.
State officials are urging residents to stay weather aware, avoid flooded roadways and follow guidance from local emergency managers.
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MONROE, La. (KNOE) – The North Louisiana Crime Lab released a June 2026 law enforcement bulletin warning of additional cases tied to cyclorphine, a synthetic opioid the lab says can be significantly more potent than fentanyl.
The bulletin, titled “Cyclorphine Update — Additional Cases & Footprint,” notes that drug evidence submissions testing positive for cyclorphine have been received from multiple parishes in North Louisiana.
What is cyclorphine?
According to the bulletin, cyclorphine is a synthetic opioid in the emerging orphine drug class. The lab said current toxicity data are limited, but laboratory studies indicate cyclorphine may be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl.
Reported effects
The crime lab said cyclorphine can produce effects similar to other narcotic analgesics, including:
- Central nervous system depression
- Lethargy or stupor
- Respiratory depression with slow, shallow breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
The bulletin said Narcan should be administered to someone suffering from cyclorphine toxicity, and that multiple doses may be needed.
What the bulletin says about trends
The crime lab said national data indicate cyclorphine will likely continue spreading through the region, including becoming more common in seized and submitted drug evidence.
Where cyclorphine has been detected
The bulletin includes a “detection timeline and counterfeit tablet types,” showing evidence submissions tied to specific parishes and dates, including:
- Caddo Parish (Feb. 19; April 14)
- Ouachita Parish (March 18; May 13)
- DeSoto Parish (March 25)
- Natchitoches Parish (May 14)
The lab also noted counterfeit pill types associated with these submissions, including tablets labeled “M30,” “M15,” “K56,” “1259,” and “M367.” Officials warned it may be impossible to know what a pill contains, even if it resembles a known tablet.
The North Louisiana Crime Lab said it will continue tracking trends and sharing updates as additional evidence is submitted.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
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