LMPD and FBI safely recover 6-month-old abducted in West Lafayette, IN, after child taken toward Louisville

Louisville Metro Police Department officers and the FBI safely recovered a 6-month-old child who had been abducted in West Lafayette, Indiana, according to a report published July 31, 2026. The recovery occurred after investigators with the West Lafayette Police Department learned the child and a suspected kidnapper were traveling toward Louisville.

The report said the West Lafayette Police Department investigation led to the information that the suspected kidnapper and the child were on a bus headed to Louisville. That information prompted law enforcement coordination intended to locate the child quickly and prevent further harm.

WAVE reported that LMPD and federal agents took action once they had details of the travel plan. The child was ultimately recovered safely, and authorities described the outcome as secure and non-injured in the initial account.

The incident involved coordination between agencies operating in different jurisdictions, with Indiana investigators providing the operational lead that the pair was moving to Kentucky. The case underscores how bus travel and other interstate routes can complicate investigations, especially when timing matters to protect vulnerable victims.

While authorities moved to locate the child in Louisville, the report framed the recovery as part of the ongoing West Lafayette Police Department investigation. Officials have not been quoted in the report about specific charges, possible timelines for interviews, or whether any arrests occurred during the recovery.

The report also did not provide additional details in its initial summary regarding the suspected kidnapper, the circumstances leading to the abduction, or the exact location in Louisville where the child was found. Those specifics, if available, would be expected to come from subsequent updates from LMPD, the FBI, or the West Lafayette Police Department.

Authorities are expected to continue working through the case following the safe recovery, including determining what led to the abduction, whether additional charges will be sought, and how the investigation will be coordinated across jurisdictions.

For families and communities, the immediate focus remains on public safety and accountability. The case highlights the importance of interagency communication when a missing child is believed to be traveling across state lines.