INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD said a baby is back with its parent after a possible kidnapping Thursday afternoon on the west side of Indianapolis.
Just after 1:30 p.m. Aug. 8, IMPD was called about a stolen car that had an infant inside. The theft happened near West 12th Street and North Tibbs Avenue.
As police were rushing to the scene, another call came in for a welfare check.
Police said someone had left a baby in a car seat in the 2000 block of Somerset Avenue, which is approximately one mile northwest from where the car was stolen.
"I just kind of looked out the window and saw the baby carrier out here and went out and looked and a baby was in it. I was like, 'How did it get out here?'" said Donald Martin, who found the baby abandoned in front of his house.
"We looked around, and we didn't see any cars or anything, so I said, 'Bring it in, and I'll call the police,'" said Norma Martin, Donald's mother.
Neighbors said they then heard and saw a woman running down 12th Street yelling for help, but no one came.
That's when Adriana Reyes says her niece hopped in the car and chased after the two men, but ended up losing them.
"Well, I cried with her because I don't know, it's sad. You can't keep the babies safe now," said Reyes, who helped console the mother.
The baby would later be found about a mile away on Somerset Avenue just off over Tibbs Avenue.
"I thought it was a doll at first and then I went and touched it and it wasn't a doll, it was a baby, and I went, 'Ah!' and got kind of panicky, but yeah, kind of scary," said the Martins.
Police found the infant, who was reportedly safe. Medics checked the baby out, and the baby was returned to their parent.
According to Kids and Car Safety, this is the first time this year a child was left alone in a car that ended up being stolen. The organization claims this is the same as last year and even down from 2022.
But those with group say this is just one of the many dangers that could happen when leaving your kids in the car.
"We have documented literally thousands of children that have been injured or killed in power windows. Children knock cars into gear and they either fall out or jump out and they're run over. Children find objects in the car, and they choke. They've been strangled by seat belts," said Amber Rolins, director of Kids and Car Safety.
Reyes said what she witnessed Thursday has made her think twice about leaving her kids alone in the car.
"I think I probably did it before every now and then to grab the phone really quick, but I don't think I would no more. Especially now. It's just scary," said Reyes.
In a police report, IMPD says officers found the vehicle outside a business all the way over by the airport. Investigators say they are still looking for the person or persons responsible for stealing the vehicle.