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BOGALUSA, La. – A new year brings new beginnings, and for Washington Parish, this couldn’t be truer. Our Lady of the Angels Hospital in Bogalusa celebrated the arrival of its first baby of 2024. At 9:07 p.m. on January 1, Iesha Brown and Dareon Devante Cooper Sr. welcomed their son, Dareon Devante Cooper Jr., a healthy and adorable baby boy weighing 6 pounds, 9 ounces and stretching 20 inches long.

For Iesha, Dareon’s birth is a dream come true. After facing the heartache of two miscarriages, she marvels at the arrival of her “miracle rainbow baby.” Her joy is contagious as she shares her journey of overcoming challenges and finally holding her baby in her arms. “When I was younger, they told me I’d never be able to have kids. I’ve had two miscarriages and thought I would never go full term. I actually gave up until he came along. I’m just so happy.”

This little one is not just a bundle of joy for his parents; he’s also the first baby born in Washington Parish in 2024, a special title that comes with a celebratory gift basket from the hospital. The birth was a family affair, with Iesha, celebrating her own birthday just the day before, supported every step of the way by her mother and Dareon Sr. during the 12-hour labor.