Father of baby taken from Monroe hospital arrested

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Authorities have arrested a father accused of taking a newborn baby from a hospital in Monroe.

Authorities said the baby was taken from St. Francis Medical Center just after 11:20 p.m. on Oct. 22, 2020. Subsequently, state police issued a Level II Endangered/Missing Child Advisory on behalf of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Police say Travis Hargrove, Jr. was born on Oct. 22 at 7:04 a.m., with a medical condition that will require treatment. Police said 35-year-old Travis Hargrove left the hospital with the baby hidden in a black backpack. The baby was found safe a few hours later.

According to court records, the baby’s mother tested positive for THC and amphetamines and there was a possibility the baby would be taken by the Department of Children and Family Services.

Records allege Hargrove entered the hospital room just after 11 p.m. He left the room with a book bag about 10 minutes later. The removal of the baby’s security bracelet triggered an alarm, but the baby was gone by the time staff arrived. The mother was not cooperative, authorities said.

Hospital staff said the baby needed to be monitored due to possible withdrawal symptoms. Hargrove was booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center on a charge of cruelty to a juvenile.