Baby Abandoned At Los Angeles County Store, Pregnant Woman Sought

LOMITA, CA — A baby was abandoned inside a store on Pacific Coast Highway Wednesday, and authorities are asking for help identifying the child as well as the pregnant woman who reportedly left the baby in a shopping cart.

The baby is estimated to be between seven and nine months old. The child was abandoned at a store in the 2000 block of Pacific Coast Highway at around 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

A store employee reported that a pregnant woman left the child in a cart before leaving in a taxi, investigators said.

"Upon arrival, deputies learned that an unidentified pregnant woman had entered the store carrying the infant and asked for a taxi," sheriff's officials said in a written statement. "The store employee arranged for a taxi while the woman went to the restroom. When the taxi arrived, the woman left the store, leaving the infant behind in a shopping cart. The woman departed in the taxi, her destination unknown."

The Department of Children and Family Services has taken custody of the infant, according to the Sheriff's Information Bureau.

Anyone with information about the baby or the woman who abandoned it is urged to call the Lomita Sheriff's Station at 310-539- 1661. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.