New Orleans Teen Drowns in West Fork River in Moss Bluff

Tragedy strikes as a group of teenagers jumped from a bridge into the water for fun in Moss Bluff on Wednesday.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Marine Division was dispatched to Dunn Ferry Rd. at the West Fork Bridge in Moss Bluff in reference to a possible drowning at about 3 pm, April 24. Wardell Baptiste, 16, of New Orleans was recovered from the water and taken to a local hospital by ambulance. Sadly, at about 4:30 pm Baptiste was pronounced deceased by medical personnel, said a media release.

After further investigation CPSO learned a group of teens were jumping from the bridge when Baptiste jumped off. He surfaced, but went under water again and didn't resurface.

Baptiste was visiting family members in SWLA during spring break.

CPSO Deputy Kimberly Curran is the lead investigator. CPSO Sr. Sgt. Ryan Mareno, along with the CPSO Dive Team, recovered Baptiste from the water.