Atlanta, Georgia – Atlanta police are warning parents about the dangers of leaving children unattended in running vehicles after a young girl was found inside a stolen car that had been abandoned just minutes after it was taken. The incident occurred shortly before 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2025, according to body camera footage released by the Atlanta Police Department and reported by PEOPLE.
Child Found Alone in Abandoned Vehicle
Police say officers located the stolen vehicle with the child still inside after it had been abandoned. In body cam footage shared by the Atlanta Police Department on Facebook on Jan. 10, an officer can be heard explaining the situation.
“She’s about eight years old. She just woke up. The car’s occupied just with her inside,” the officer said, noting that the vehicle’s door handle appeared partially damaged, suggesting someone had attempted to steal the car.
Moments later, the child can be heard calmly responding to officers, saying, “I’m good,” after being safely discovered.
Mother Says Car Was Left Unattended for One Minute
A woman believed to be the child’s mother arrived at the scene and explained what happened to police. She told officers she had stepped into a nearby store briefly.
“I went in the store right there for literally one minute,” she said, adding that the store had glass windows that allowed her to see outside.
According to the woman, when she returned, her car was gone.
“I went in for one minute, got what I needed, walked out, and my car was gone. I didn’t know where to look, [so] I just called the police,” she explained.
Atlanta Police Stress the Risks of Running Vehicles
In the same body cam video, APD spokesperson Sergeant Tasheena Brown addressed parents directly, calling the situation serious and preventable.
“I want to talk to you about a serious and preventable issue, leaving young children unattended inside running vehicles,” Brown said.
She warned that even short absences can create dangerous opportunities for car thieves.
“In just seconds, someone can get inside and drive off, sometimes with the child still inside,” she said.
“Those Moments Matter,” Officer Says
Sergeant Brown emphasized that her warning comes from both professional and personal experience.
“Not only am I a police officer, but more importantly, I’m a mother,” she said.
Acknowledging how hectic daily life can be, Brown noted how easy it is for parents to believe they will only be gone briefly.
“I understand how busy life gets. It’s easy to think, ‘I’ll only be gone for a minute.’ But those moments matter,” she explained.
She urged parents to always turn off their vehicle, take their keys, and bring their children with them whenever they step away.
Police Urge Public to Call 911
Atlanta police are also asking members of the public to act if they see a child left alone in a running vehicle.
“If you see a child unattended in a running vehicle, call 911 immediately,” Brown said.
The Atlanta Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for additional details when contacted for comment.
