Police in Atlanta recovered a vehicle that had been stolen with a sleeping child inside just before 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2025, according to body-worn camera footage the Atlanta Police Department shared on Facebook on Jan. 10.
Officers located the abandoned car and found the child—described in the footage as about eight years old—awake and saying, "I'm good." An officer noted the door handle appeared partially detached, suggesting someone had tried to force the vehicle.
City of Atlanta Police Department FacebookA young girl was found safe after the car she was in was stolen when her mom went inside a store 'for one minute'
A woman who identified herself as the girl's mother told police she had stepped into a nearby store "for literally one minute" and left the car running. "I went in for one minute, got what I needed, walked out, and my car was gone," she said in the footage, adding that the store had glass windows and she believed she could see the parking area.
Sergeant Tasheena Brown of the Atlanta Police Department used the incident to warn caregivers about the risks of leaving children unattended in running vehicles. "Even if you're only stepping away for a moment, a running vehicle can quickly become an easy target for thieves," she said. "In just seconds, someone can get inside and drive off, sometimes with the child still inside."
Sergeant Brown made a personal appeal: "I want you to hear this from me clearly. Not only am I a police officer, but more importantly, I'm a mother." She urged parents and caregivers to always turn off the engine, take the keys, and bring children with them whenever they leave a vehicle.
Smith Collection/Gado/GettyA stock photo of an Atlanta Police Department vehicle
Safety Advice
If you see a child alone in a running vehicle, call 911 immediately. Other recommended precautions include keeping children with you when exiting a vehicle, never leaving keys in an unattended car, and using vehicle locks or anti-theft devices when possible.
The Atlanta Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment from PEOPLE.
