A wave of grief and deep anxiety has gripped a family in Baton Rouge following the sudden disappearance of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather. Amidst the mounting urgency, the search-and-rescue organization United Cajun Navy has officially stepped in, coordinating closely with local authorities and the victim’s family in a desperate bid to bring the teenager home safely.

Ja’Derrius Minnieweather was reported missing on June 5, 2026. Since that day, the search for the 15-year-old in the Ghost Town area of Baton Rouge has become an agonizing priority for his family and volunteer units alike. In a profound effort to reach out to the community for assistance, United Cajun Navy Incident Commander Josh Gill appeared in an emotional video alongside the missing teenager’s mother.

Via Facebook, the organization issued a heartfelt plea to supporters throughout Louisiana: “We are asking our supporters across Louisiana and beyond to help spread the word. Someone may know something. Someone may have seen something. That one piece of information could make all the difference.”

The Heartbreak of Those Left Behind

Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is described as a slender teenager, standing five feet tall and weighing just under 100 pounds. On the day he was last seen, the family confirmed he was wearing the jacket currently featured in circulated search photographs.

Standing before the camera, his father, Branderius Brooks, struggled to contain his pain as he expressed a simple yet heart-wrenching plea: “I just want my baby at home. If anybody knows anything or has seen anything, please reach out. I want my baby home bad.”

Jawanna Brooks, the teenager’s grandmother, also spoke of the family’s crumbling mental state after nearly a week without news of her grandson: “I just want my grandson home, returned home safe. Somebody out there knows something. It’s been since Thursday since Ja’Derrius has been missing.” She further described the overwhelming psychological pressure the family is enduring: “I’m stressed out to the max. His mama is going crazy. They’re going crazy. Please, please let the Baton Rouge Police Department know something.”

Hoping for a Safe Return

Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is a student at Istrouma High School, where he is set to enter his sophomore year this coming fall. To his friends and family, Ja’Derrius is a vibrant, active teenager—a boy with a passion for riding dirt bikes, spending time with his peers, and working at local rodeos.

Amidst their unbearable grief, his grandmother continues to maintain a haunting spiritual connection with her grandson: “I talk to you every day, boy. Please call me. Lord, somebody out there knows something about my grandbaby. Please tell us. Let us know.”

Authorities are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is urged to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline immediately at 225-344-7867 or dial 911. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Crime Stoppers online portal to ensure the safety of those providing information.