A Kentucky truck driver was arrested Thursday after a 17-year-old Louisiana girl, missing for nearly two days, was found safe at a truck stop along I-35 in Ardmore. Investigators in Louisiana tracked the teen to southern Oklahoma and alerted local police, who located her unharmed.
Arrest at the truck stop
Ardmore police officers responded to the truck stop and arrested 38-year-old Michael Daniel Jay. Authorities identified him as a truck driver from Kentucky and booked him into the Carter County Jail shortly after taking him into custody.
Officials said the arrest followed coordinated efforts between Louisiana investigators and Oklahoma law enforcement.
How investigators tracked the teen
Authorities in Louisiana used electronic leads to trace the teen’s location to the Ardmore area and contacted local police. Officers then checked a truck stop along I-35, where they found the girl.
Investigators said the teen had been communicating online with someone she believed was her own age, but the person was allegedly the suspect. Officers located the teen at the scene and detained Jay without incident.
Charges and extradition
Police said Jay is being held in the Carter County Jail and could face multiple felony charges, including kidnapping and child endangerment. Prosecutors in Louisiana are expected to determine the exact charges.
Authorities are also working across state lines on next steps, including possible extradition. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not released further details about a potential motive.
Cross-agency cooperation
Law enforcement officials credited the swift exchange of information between agencies for helping locate the teen and make an arrest before the situation escalated.
Prosecutors in Louisiana will review the case before deciding on formal charges and any extradition request. Authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.
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