BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA — The search for 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather has entered its second week, with authorities, volunteers, and community members continuing to work tirelessly to locate the missing teenager who was last seen on June 5, 2026.

As the days stretch into uncertainty, search and rescue efforts across Baton Rouge have expanded, with multiple teams combing through wooded areas, narrow alleys, drainage canals, and surrounding terrain in hopes of finding any trace of the teen.

A major role in the ongoing operation is being played by the United Cajun Navy, a volunteer-based search and rescue group led by Josh Gil, which has been coordinating closely with local residents and authorities. Teams on the ground have been systematically covering large and often difficult-to-access areas, working against time and challenging environmental conditions.

According to those involved in the search, the operation has been fueled in part by a constant flow of public tips. Volunteers report receiving hundreds of phone calls and messages from community members suggesting possible sightings and locations. However, each lead requires careful evaluation, as teams must determine which areas have already been searched and which still require attention. This process has significantly slowed efforts but remains essential to ensuring no critical location is overlooked.

One of the key focus points in recent days has been an area known locally as Ghost Town, where Ja’Derrius was last seen before his disappearance. Search teams concentrated their efforts there on Monday, carefully sweeping the surroundings and nearby routes in hopes of uncovering new evidence or clues that could help reconstruct his final movements.

Despite these coordinated efforts, the search has faced growing emotional and logistical challenges. Family members of Ja’Derrius are said to be devastated, struggling with the uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts. Loved ones continue to hold onto hope while enduring what has become an increasingly painful wait for answers.

Search coordinators have also highlighted another major obstacle: hesitation within the community to share information directly with law enforcement. While many residents are willing to help, some reportedly feel uncomfortable contacting police agencies, which has complicated the flow of potentially critical information. To address this, volunteer teams have been working as intermediaries, helping ensure that tips are safely and efficiently passed on to authorities while maintaining trust within the community.

Officials have stressed the importance of public cooperation, urging anyone with information—no matter how small or seemingly insignificant—to come forward. The Baton Rouge Police Department continues to accept direct tips, while the United Cajun Navy has also made contact channels available through its official platforms and partner networks.

As the search moves further into its second week, the urgency remains high. Every passing day adds to the difficulty of the operation, but search teams insist they will continue expanding their efforts until every possible lead has been exhausted.

For now, the disappearance of Ja’Derrius Minnieweather remains unresolved, leaving a community united in concern and determination, hoping that answers will emerge soon and bring clarity to a case that has deeply shaken Baton Rouge.