Atlanta Police Warn Parents to Stop Leaving Their Kids Alone in Cars After Child Found in Stolen, Abandoned Vehicle

Atlanta police are warning parents and caregivers about the dangers of leaving children unattended in running vehicles after a recent car theft left a young child inside a stolen vehicle.

The incident occurred just before 5:45 p.m. local time on Dec. 16 in Atlanta. According to police, a vehicle was taken while a young girl was asleep inside. The car was later found abandoned, with the child still inside but unharmed. Body camera footage released by the Atlanta Police Department shows officers arriving at the vehicle and discovering the child alone in the car.

Police indicated the girl appeared to be about eight years old and had just woken up when officers located the vehicle. Officers also observed damage to the vehicle, including a partially detached door handle, suggesting an attempt to steal the car. The child was safely recovered at the scene and was heard reassuring officers that she was okay.

A woman believed to be the child’s mother arrived shortly after police located the vehicle. In the footage, she explained that she had left the car running while she briefly went into a nearby store. She told officers she believed she would be gone for only a short time and said the store had windows that allowed her to see outside. When she returned and discovered the vehicle missing, she contacted police.

The Atlanta Police Department shared the footage publicly as part of a broader safety message. An APD spokesperson used the incident to highlight the risks associated with leaving children in unattended vehicles, even briefly. Police emphasized that running vehicles can quickly become targets for theft, sometimes within seconds, and that children may still be inside when those crimes occur.

Officers stressed that busy schedules and everyday errands can lead to lapses in judgment, but noted that even short moments can carry serious consequences. Police encouraged caregivers to turn off their vehicles, take their keys, and bring children with them whenever exiting a car.

The department also urged members of the public to contact emergency services immediately if they see a child left alone inside a running vehicle. Police framed the message as a preventative effort aimed at avoiding potential tragedies and protecting children.

The Atlanta Police Department has not released additional details about potential charges or suspects connected to the theft.