A 2-year-old boy is safe after he was left unattended in an SUV in Northeast D.C. early Wednesday and someone stole the vehicle, authorities say. Police issued an Amber Alert.
Emotional video footage shows the moment his grandmother comforted the toddler. She was nearly in tears as she held him close and appeared to speak to him. A D.C. police officer could be seen rubbing his back.
Police say the grandmother parked a black Toyota Highlander at a 7-Eleven in the 4900 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE and went inside with the SUV running and unattended. The little boy was inside.
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At about 6:08 a.m, someone jumped into the SUV and sped off.
“A short time later,” the child and SUV were found behind an apartment complex in the 1200 block of 49th Street NE, about a half-mile north. The person who stole the SUV ran.
News4 saw first responders take the little boy out of an ambulance and reunite him with his family. The child was not physically harmed, police said.
Police released photos of one person who they said they're seeking as a person of interest. He is wanted for kidnapping and theft.
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The child was taken as crime surges in D.C. and motor vehicle thefts have more than doubled, from 2,054 reports this time last year to 4,397 this year, crime statistics show.
Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police. A reward of up to $1,000 is offered.
CORRECTION (Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023 3:55 p.m. ET): A previous version of this story characterized the woman hugging the child as a first responder. She is a family member.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
