Louisiana Police Searching For Missing 3-Year-Old In Imminent Danger; Child Last Seen With Non-Custodial Mother

The Louisiana State Police has issued an endangered child advisory for a 3-year-old boy who is believed to be under threat.

Ashton Michel Willis, 3, was last seen Sunday with his non-custodial mother Ashley Nicole Bang, 32, also known by the name Ashley Willis.

The toddler was last seen on the second street in Basile and is believed to be in imminent danger, Louisiana police said in a news release.

Ashton is a biracial boy with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 3 feet tall and weighs about 40 pounds. Ashton was wearing a T-shirt and diaper when he was last seen.

Ashley is wanted for questioning in connection with the toddler's disappearance. She is a white female with brown hair and brown eyes. Ashley is approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 115 pounds. She is possibly driving a 1998 White Chevrolet Cavalier with Louisiana license plate 448EBW.

The police are now seeking information regarding the missing toddler and his mother. Anyone with information about Ashton or Ashley should immediately contact the Basile Police Department at 337-432-6625 or call 911.

Although the child was last seen on May 9, the missing alert was only issued only on May 12. According to Basile Police Chief Allen Ivory, on May 2, the police received a complaint from the child's paternal aunt claiming that the toddler had been taken from her temporary custody and had not been returned, news outlet KATC reported.

Ivory said his officers had received unconfirmed reports about the child's mother contacting the aunt. Meanwhile, the officers who were in constant communication with the family of the child's father were informed that they had not seen or heard from either of them.

The alert was "just released today because of complications and differing versions of what happened," Ivory said. "We are hoping for the safe return of the child as well as the mother. Our mission is to ensure that," he added.