Teen Arrested In Car Theft Returned Infant In Back Seat: Report

TRUSSVILLE, AL — A teenager behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle Friday night discovered that he'd taken off with a four-month-old infant in the back seat, according to authorities and news reports.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the baby was later found on the porch of a nearby home at 10:38 p.m., almost an hour after the vehicle was reported missing.

The baby was not harmed. According to a report by the Birmingham News, a resident of the home where the child was found said "she heard crying from the front porch and opened the door to find a baby lying on the doormat."

The incident began at 9:45 p.m. Friday night. The infant was inside a 2019 Kia Sorento, which had been parked in the driveway of the family's home in Center Point. One day later, the stolen vehicle was spotted 600 Block of Earline Circle. Police cited witness descriptions that lead to the arrest of a 17-year-old boy, who told officers he did not know about the baby when he stole the car.

In a statement, Jefferson County deputy Joni Money said that once the teen realized he had an unwanted passenger he attempted to return to the home where he'd picked up the car — but the area was swarming with officers. So, instead, he decided to leave the infant at a nearby house.

The teen, who has not been named, is being charged as a juvenile. He also wants to apologize to the baby's mother.

Read the full story at AL.com.