Baby left on side of road after thief steals car with child still inside in Philadelphia’s East Falls section

PHILADELPHIA — A one-year-old boy is safe after police say his mother’s car was stolen in Philadelphia.

The mom had briefly stepped out of the vehicle while the child was still inside when the suspect took the car, according to police.

It happened in the 3400-block of Henry Avenue just after 11 p.m. on Monday.

The mother had a tracker in the vehicle, which led police to the 4000 block of -Parkside Avenue in West Philadelphia, where the car was found abandoned.

However, the child was not inside the car seat.

Police say his grandparents found him unharmed about a half-hour later, sitting on a sidewalk, a full block from where the car was stolen.

Officials say they believe the thief didn’t realize the child was inside when the car was stolen, and dumped the baby on the side of the road.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance video and collecting fingerprints and DNA evidence from the car, hoping to track down the car thief.