TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. — A 2-year-old boy was found safe after Louisiana State Police issued an AMBER Alert on behalf of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said the child was found sleeping in the back of the suspect's vehicle, a white 2011 GMC Yukon in the parking lot of a business in the Kentwood area.

The suspect, James Mercier, 49, of McComb, Mississippi, was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping, the sheriff's office said.

The boy was abducted around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, state police said. Authorities said he and his mother were traveling with Mercier, when they pulled over at the Welcome Center off I-55 South near Kentwood. Authorities said Mercier then drove off with Cooper when the mother stepped outside of the car.

State Police received the request to

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