In the heart of New Orleans, a mother’s fear for her family’s safety has become a stark symbol of the city’s ongoing turmoil following the brazen escape of ten inmates from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, 2025. The mother, whose identity remains protected due to safety concerns, fled the city with her family after learning that one of the escapees, a man convicted of a violent crime, was among those who broke free. Her story, shared with local media, underscores the human cost of a jailbreak that has shaken the city and prompted a massive manhunt now entering its sixth day. As authorities work tirelessly to recapture the remaining fugitives, the arrests of two individuals accused of aiding the escapees have added a new layer of complexity to an already dire situation.
The escape, described by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as potentially the largest in the state’s history, occurred in the early hours of May 16, when ten inmates, many facing or convicted of violent crimes including murder and armed robbery, exploited a security lapse at the Orleans Justice Center. The inmates breached a cell wall by removing a toilet, navigated through a maintenance area, and exited via a loading dock, scaling fences and crossing Interstate 10 under cover of darkness. Graffiti left behind, including the taunting phrase “Too Easy LOL,” highlighted the audacity of the escape and pointed to systemic failures at the facility. The breakout was not discovered until a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m., nearly eight hours later, sparking criticism over delayed public notification and inadequate oversight.
As of May 21, 2025, five of the ten escapees have been recaptured. Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, Gary Price, and Corey Boyd are back in custody, with Boyd’s arrest occurring on May 20 in New Orleans. Myles, apprehended in the French Quarter after hiding under a car, has a history of escape, having previously fled a youth detention center. Price, facing charges of attempted murder, was captured in New Orleans East and transported to a secure state facility. The remaining five fugitives—Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Leo Tate, and Lenton Vanburen—are still at large, prompting a multi-agency response involving the Louisiana State Police, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and New Orleans Police Department. Authorities believe the fugitives may still be in Louisiana, possibly receiving assistance from friends or family, though leads have taken investigators to neighboring states.
The investigation took a significant turn with the arrests of Cortnie Harris, 32, of New Orleans, and Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, of Slidell, both charged with being accessories after the fact. Harris allegedly communicated by phone with one of the unaccounted-for escapees and transported two others to various locations within the city. Baptiste is accused of providing food and maintaining contact with Corey Boyd via phone and social media while Boyd was in hiding. Both face up to five years in prison and a $500 fine under Louisiana law. Additionally, a maintenance worker at the jail, Sterling Williams, was arrested for allegedly facilitating the escape by turning off the water supply to a cell at the direction of an inmate, allowing the group to remove the toilet and breach the wall.
The jailbreak has intensified scrutiny on the Orleans Justice Center, a facility long plagued by poor conditions and staffing shortages. Sheriff Susan Hutson has acknowledged infrastructure issues, including defective locks and malfunctioning cameras, and confirmed suspicions of internal assistance. Three employees, including Williams, have been suspended without pay pending an internal investigation. Governor Landry has ordered a comprehensive audit of the jail by the Louisiana Department of Corrections and tasked Attorney General Liz Murrill with investigating the circumstances of the escape. Murrill has vowed to prosecute anyone found aiding the fugitives, emphasizing that such actions endanger public safety.
The manhunt has mobilized over 200 law enforcement personnel, with rewards totaling $20,000 per fugitive offered by the FBI, ATF, and Crime Stoppers of Greater New Orleans. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any information through the LSP Fusion Center Hotline, Crime Stoppers, or the FBI’s dedicated tip line. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has reassured residents that the city remains open, but the ongoing search has left many, like the mother who fled, grappling with fear. As the investigation deepens and the hunt for the remaining fugitives continues, the city confronts not only the immediate threat but also the broader challenges of a strained criminal justice system, raising urgent questions about accountability and reform.
