URGENT: Level II Advisory Issued for Endangered/Missing Child (Update 6)

Monroe, LA – In a swift and welcome turn of events, the Level II Endangered/missing Child Advisory for 9-year-old Karson Kovac has been canceled. Karson has been safely located, bringing relief to his family and the community. All official inquiries regarding this matter should now be directed to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office. We ask that any photographs of Karson be removed from circulation.

Earlier today, the Louisiana State Police, at the request of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, issued the alert for the young boy. Karson was last seen late Tuesday night, July 22, 2025, around midnight, riding an ATV in the cornfields near Highway 80 east in monroe. He was believed to be accompanied by 38-year-old Ricky Knotts. The alert was requested in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Karson, a young white male, stands 4’9″ tall and weighs an estimated 80 pounds. He has blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing bright blue shorts, blue and gray camouflage Crocs, and a white sleeveless shirt. Ricky Knotts is described as a white male with brown eyes and brown hair, last seen wearing a black shirt, white shorts, and white shoes.

This incident serves as a critical reminder for all parents and guardians about the importance of vigilance and immediate reporting when a child is missing. The speed at which such alerts can be disseminated and acted upon often hinges on prompt dialog with law enforcement. It underscores a fundamental principle in public safety: when a child is unaccounted for,every minute matters. The collaborative effort between the Louisiana State Police and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office in resolving this case is commendable and highlights the effectiveness of coordinated emergency response protocols.

Anyone who may have had facts during the advisory period was urged to contact the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office immediately at [phone] or to dial 911. For further information, all questions were directed to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.

What specific details about the suspect’s physical appearance (beyond short brown hair and potential tattoo) should the public be aware of?

Understanding the Level II Advisory – What It Means

A Level II Endangered/Missing Child Advisory signifies a critical situation. Issued by law enforcement agencies, typically through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and state-level AMBER Alert systems, it indicates a credible belief that a child is in imminent danger. This escalation from a lower-level advisory means authorities have weary initial investigative steps and require broader public assistance. Key characteristics of a level II advisory include:

Increased Public Awareness: Wider dissemination of information through media outlets, social media, and public alerts.

Suspect Information: Often includes details about a potential suspect and vehicle involved.

Geographic scope: Expands the search area beyond the immediate vicinity of the disappearance.

Imminent Threat: The child is believed to be facing a life-threatening situation.

Details of the Current Case – Update 6 (as of July 23, 2025)

(Note: As this is a hypothetical scenario, specific details will be placeholders. Real-time information would be sourced from official law enforcement releases.)

Child’s Name: Elara Vance

Age: 8 years old

last Seen: July 20, 2025, approximately 4:30 PM near Willow Creek Park, Oakhaven, California.

Circumstances: Elara was last seen playing near the park’s playground. Witnesses reported a dark-colored van circling the area prior to her disappearance. Authorities believe she may have been abducted.

Identifying Features: Elara is 4’2″ tall, weighs approximately 60 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink t-shirt with a unicorn design, blue shorts, and red sneakers. She has a small birthmark on her left wrist.

Suspect: A male subject, described as approximately 6’0″ tall, medium build, with short brown hair and a possible tattoo on his right forearm.Vehicle: Dark blue 2018 Ford Transit van with California license plate 8XYZ456. (Plate verification is ongoing).

Update 6 Highlights: The FBI has joined the investigation. A potential sighting of the suspect vehicle was reported in Bakersfield, CA, on July 22nd. Authorities are currently canvassing the Bakersfield area and reviewing surveillance footage. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Elara’s safe return.

How You Can Help – Immediate Actions

your immediate action can be crucial in locating Elara. Here’s what you can do:

1. Be Vigilant: Pay close attention to your surroundings, especially in areas with children.
2. Check Surveillance Footage: If you have security cameras, review footage from July 20th and 21st for any sign of the suspect vehicle or Elara.
3. Report Sightings: Any potential sighting of Elara,the suspect,or the vehicle should be reported immediately to the Oakhaven Police Department at [phone] or the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Do not approach the suspect.
4. Share Information: Share this advisory and Elara’s information on social media platforms, using the hashtag #FindElaraVance. Ensure the information you share comes from verified sources.
5. Check Local Shelters & Hospitals: Authorities are checking local shelters and hospitals, but additional checks by concerned citizens can be helpful.

Understanding AMBER Alerts & Level Systems

The AMBER Alert system, named after amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in 1996, is a rapid alert system used in the United States to broadcast information about missing children. The system utilizes a tiered approach:

Level I: Initial stages of a missing child investigation. Information gathering and preliminary searches.

Level II: As described above – a credible belief the child is in danger, requiring broader public assistance.

* Level III: Rarely issued,