A 4-year-old girl who was inside a car stolen outside Children’s Minnesota in Minneapolis on Monday evening is back home and unharmed after a frantic half hour that had police scrambling across the neighborhood. Minneapolis police said the child was dropped off at nearby Abbott Northwestern Hospital roughly 25 minutes after the vehicle was taken. The stolen car has not been recovered, and no arrests have been made, according to officers.
Police timeline and response
Minneapolis police told reporters the mother had left the child in the vehicle while she went into the hospital, and officers were called just before 5:30 p.m. They quickly launched a grid search and used available technology to try to track down the car. Investigators say they are now following leads to figure out who took the vehicle and where it went, and the case remains active, according to KSTP.
Child dropped off at Abbott Northwestern
About 25 minutes after the theft, officers learned the child had been dropped off at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, which sits right next to Children’s Minnesota. Police said staff helped reunite the girl with her mother and confirmed the child was uninjured. The vehicle itself is still missing, and no one is in custody, as reported by FOX 9.
Why police warn against leaving cars running
Officials have long warned that even a quick dash inside can turn into a fast-moving crime of opportunity, especially when cars are left running or unlocked. Last year, roughly 16% of Minneapolis stolen vehicles were taken with keys or fobs left inside, a figure the Star Tribune highlighted while covering similar incidents. Quick recoveries often depend on rapid police work and tips from witnesses, which authorities say remains critical in cases like this, per the Star Tribune.
Minneapolis police continue to investigate and ask anyone with information to contact the department. The episode is a stark reminder to never leave young children unattended in vehicles, even for what feels like a short errand.
