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UPDATE: Child Safely Recovered, Suspect Arrested, Following Multi-State Abduction Investigation
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (July 31, 2026) - As reported last night, the West Lafayette Police Department is grateful to announce that six-month-old Baby Adalyn has been safely recovered and reunited with her family following an intensive, multi-state investigation involving numerous local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
On July 30, 2026 at approximately 5:47 PM, officers with the West Lafayette Police Department responded to a report involving the suspected abduction of Baby Adalyn. Officers immediately began investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, quickly determining that the child had been taken from West Lafayette by an adult female later identified as Jasmine O’Sullivan, 22, of Lawrenceville, GA.
Investigators believe that, in the days leading up to the abduction, O’Sullivan assumed the identity of an uninvolved individual to gain the mother's trust and facilitate the kidnapping. Investigators have no reason to believe the individual whose identity was used had any involvement in or prior knowledge of the crime.
Recognizing the seriousness of the incident and the immediate risk to Baby Adalyn’s safety, investigators immediately coordinated with regional, state, and federal law enforcement partners. As information about the suspect was shared publicly, a private citizen recognized details from the West Lafayette Police Department's social media posts and contacted investigators with information that proved valuable to the investigation. Investigators quickly followed up on that lead while continuing to coordinate with partner agencies.
As the investigation progressed, detectives determined that O’Sullivan had traveled south with Baby Adalyn, ultimately leading investigators to the Louisville, Kentucky area. Through the coordinated efforts of investigators and our law enforcement partners, officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department located Baby Adalyn and safely recovered the child approximately five hours after the initial report was received. Baby Adalyn was reunited with family shortly thereafter.
O'Sullivan was taken into custody without incident. The investigation remains active as detectives continue to coordinate with the United States Attorney's Office, the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor's Office, and other appropriate authorities. At this time, O'Sullivan is being charged federally with Kidnapping, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(a)(1). Additional federal and/or state charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
The successful resolution of this case is a direct reflection of the professionalism, urgency, and teamwork demonstrated by law enforcement personnel across multiple jurisdictions. The West Lafayette Police Department extends its sincere appreciation to the following agencies for their invaluable assistance:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Louisville Metro Police Department
- Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department
- Purdue University Police Department
- Indiana State Police
- Boone County Sheriff's Department
- Indiana Clearinghouse for Information on Missing Children
- Lafayette Police Department
The department would also like to thank members of the public who shared information and remained vigilant throughout the investigation. Community assistance, combined with the coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners, contributed significantly to the safe recovery of Baby Adalyn.
Finally, the West Lafayette Police Department reminds the public that information released during the earliest stages of an active investigation is often preliminary and may change as investigators gather additional evidence. In this case, the suspect's initially reported name proved to be inaccurate. We appreciate the public's understanding and encourage everyone to exercise caution before drawing conclusions about individuals based solely on preliminary information released during rapidly evolving investigations.
This remains an active investigation and anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the West Lafayette Police Department at (765) 775-5200 or provide information anonymously through the WeTip Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME.
All subsequent media inquiries regarding this incident should be directed to Deputy Chief David VanVactor (davanvactor@westlafayette.in.gov) or Lieutenant Troy Greene (tmgreene@westlafayette.in.gov).
The West Lafayette Police Department remains committed to protecting our community and is thankful that this incident ended with the safe recovery of Baby Adalyn.
Adam S. Ferguson
Chief of Police
West Lafayette Police Department
The fact that an individual has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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