CRIME & LAW

Baton Rouge arrests suspect, honors boy, searches inmate

PUBLISHED Feb 16, 2026, 10:06 AM ET

Read, Watch or Listen

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 7

Center 100%

Sources: 7

Baton Rouge, Local authorities arrested a man accused of setting a woman's car on fire, continued a search for a work-release inmate who walked off a job site, and ceremonially commissioned a 13-year-old cancer patient into the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office this week. Fire officials say the car fire occurred in January and caused about $1,000 in damage; police booked 61-year-old Cedric Matthews on a simple arson charge on Feb. 15. Deputies sought 41-year-old Dwayne Cedotal after he left a North Street job site. The Sheriff's Office participated in the boy's ceremony. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Shahbaz A. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2018: Devarjaye Daniel diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer.
2025: Daniel achieved multiple ceremonial swearing-ins and a Guinness-related recognition.
January: A car fire on Monroe Avenue caused about $1,000 in damage (reported Jan. 6 and Jan. 10).
Feb. 15: Cedric Matthews was booked on a simple arson charge; Dwayne Cedotal walked off a work-release job site.
Recent Monday: Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel received his EBRSO commission and uniform.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 7
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 7
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

Local law enforcement agencies and community organizations benefited through increased visibility, strengthened interagency coordination, and public engagement after arrests, searches, and ceremonial recognition.

Who Impacted

The car owner, families connected to the escaped inmate, and the 13-year-old's caregivers suffered emotional distress and ongoing safety concerns arising from these incidents.