St. Tammany Parish Sheriff deputies have made another arrest in the hit and run death of a six-year boy who was riding his scooter in his driveway back on August 13th near Slidell. Authorities originally arrested Cody Beaudette. But deputies say new information surfaced and vehicular homicide and hit and run charges against Beaudette were rescinded. Shortly after that announcement, the sheriff’s office announced the arrest of 40-year-old Connie Noel Estes and she will be charged with felony hit and run with death or serious bodily injury and felony obstruction of justice.
STPSO announcement about the arrest of Connie Noel Estes:
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an individual in the deadly hit and run that resulted in the death of a Slidell-area child after new evidence indicated that a different vehicle was responsible for the incident that occurred on August 13 on Northshore Lane near Slidell.
Shortly before 6 p.m. on August 13, deputies were dispatched to Northshore Lane in response to a report of a child struck by a vehicle. Initial findings revealed the young boy had been riding a scooter in his driveway when he was struck by a passing vehicle. The driver fled the scene without stopping. The child’s mother transported him to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Based on evidence available at the time, deputies initially arrested a Slidell man believed to be involved in the incident. However, further investigation revealed that his vehicle was not the one that struck the child. Investigators identified a second vehicle—a silver Nissan Armada—as the one involved.
As a result, the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, at the request of the Sheriff’s Office, declined to pursue the initial charges of Vehicular Homicide, Hit and Run, and Reckless Operation.
The driver of the Armada, 40-year-old Connie Noel Estes (also known as Connie Noel Flettrich or Noel Gorgone) of Slidell, was taken into custody this evening (August 29) and arrested. She will be booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center for Felony Hit and Run with Death or Serious Bodily Injury and Felony Obstruction of Justice.
“There has been speculation on social media and in the community suggesting that Ms. Estes is either related to or romantically involved with an employee of the Sheriff’s Office, and that this may have influenced our investigation. That is absolutely false. Even if such a connection existed, it would not—and did not—affect the course of our investigation in any way.”
“I am deeply disgusted that someone would strike a child and leave them to die. What’s even more appalling is that this individual allowed someone else to take the blame for their actions.”
“This is a heartbreaking case, and our thoughts remain with the victim’s family. An arrest was made based on the evidence we had at the time. Once new evidence came to light, we moved swiftly to redirect our investigation and identify the correct suspect,” Sheriff Smith added. “While we are committed to acting quickly in the pursuit of justice, we also understand the immense responsibility that comes with that urgency.”
A Statement from the STPSO Withdrawing Request for Vehicular Homicide Charge against Cody Beaudette:
In light of new evidence obtained during the ongoing hit and run investigation, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has formally withdrawn its request for the District Attorney’s Office to charge a Slidell man with Vehicular Homicide.
Shortly before 6 p.m. August 13, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Northshore Lane near Slidell in reference to a child who had been struck by a vehicle.
Responding deputies learned the 6-year-old boy was riding a scooter in his driveway when he was struck by a vehicle, and the driver failed to stop. The child’s mother had transported the boy to a local hospital prior to deputies arriving on scene, and he died at the hospital.
The initial investigation and evidence at the scene lead deputies to arrest a Slidell man on charges of Vehicular Homicide, Hit and Run, Driving While Intoxicated – Child Endangerment, Reckless Operation, Driving with a Suspended License and No Child Restraint. That man, Cody Beaudette, was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. He has since been release on bond.
Since that time, detectives have obtained new evidence, and a second vehicle has been identified as possibly being involved. The investigation into the role that vehicle and its driver played in the child’s death is still under investigation.
All charges against Beaudette have been referred to the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review. However, at this time, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has withdrawn its request to pursue the charges of Vehicular Homicide, Reckless Operation, and Hit and Run against Beaudette. The requests for the remaining charges — Driving While Intoxicated – Child Endangerment, Driving with a Suspended License and No Child Restraint — remain in place.
“Our top priority has always been to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served,” said Sheriff Randy Smith. “As new evidence came to light, it became clear that the initial charge of Vehicular Homicide was not supported. We believe in holding individuals accountable, but we also have a duty to correct course when the facts demand it. The investigation remains active as we work to fully understands what led to this tragic loss of a young life.”
Original Story:
A six-year-old Slidell boy is dead after he was hit by an SUV while riding his scooter. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff deputies say the driver of the SUV kept going and has been charged with vehicular homicide, reckless operation, felony hit-and-run and operating a vehicle with a suspended license. Lt. Suzanne Carboni says the child was hit on Northshore Lane near Slidell.
“When the deputies arrived, they learned that the six-year-old boy was riding his scooter in his driveway when he was struck by a passing SUV. The SUV driver failed to stop and continued,” Carboni said.
Carboni says the vehicle was located later that night on East Gause Boulevard and the driver, 35-year-old Cody Beaudette was taken into custody.
The boy was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Carboni says Sheriff Randy Smith sends his condolences to the child’s family.
“He also wants to remind people of the importance of obeying speed limits, stopping at stop signs, just being extra careful and vigilant when driving through our neighborhoods,” Carboni said.
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