For the second time in about a month, 10-year-old Peyton Saintignan was found safe after being reported missing from her Dubberly home.
A coordinated search involving multiple agencies successfully located the girl on October 8 in a wooded area near her Magnolia Road residence. The search began after midnight Tuesday and concluded when Louisiana State Police officers found her asleep in a thicket just before 1 PM, less than a mile from her home.
“This was a huge group effort by all agencies,” said Maj. Bobby Igo, head of the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation division. “They all responded immediately, and we were able to find her.”
Igo said the search involved a grid pattern with members of several agencies spaced about fifty feet apart. Louisiana State Police Trooper Justin Wardell checked a dense area of brush and discovered the young girl.
“She was checked by emergency medical services, and other than a couple of scratches, she is fine,” Igo said.
Sheriff Jason Parker said Louisiana State Police will lead the investigation into the incident, with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) also involved. “Since she is effectively under state supervision, the state police will be leading the investigation,” Parker explained. “DCFS will also be involved in making further assessments.”
Following Saintignan’s first disappearance, DCFS conducted interviews with her and her guardian, reportedly determining she could be returned to her foster home.
Twenty-one agencies participated in the search, including the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Minden Police Department, Minden Fire Department, and several fire districts from Webster and Bienville parishes. Additional support came from the Shreveport Fire Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bowie County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office, and others.
“All these came together as soon as the word got out,” Igo said. “Around two o’clock in the morning, we were getting phone calls asking, ‘Where do you want us and what do you need?’ It was a well-coordinated effort.”
Saintignan’s safety marked the end of a tense search, with all involved agencies expressing relief at the positive outcome.