Five-month-old baby taken in Lenexa carjacking found safe in Kansas City
A vehicle with a 5-month-old child inside was stolen in Lenexa shortly after 6 p.m. Monday. The vehicle was found abandoned at 79th Street and Wornall Road in Kansas City about 35 minutes later and the child was safe inside, police said.
There was no immediate suspect information other than it was a man with a small build wearing a hoodie. Police were interviewing witnesses and planned to review surveillance camera images.
The theft occurred in a parking lot at 95th and Monrovia streets. Police said the child’s parents were standing near their vehicle, which was unlocked and running, when a man jumped in and drove away. The child was in a car seat in the back of the car.
A pedestrian was struck during the carjacking but was not seriously injured.
The victim’s cellphone was in the car, allowing police to track its movements.
Police speculated the carjacker decided to abandon the stolen vehicle when he realized there was a child inside.
A similar incident occurred last week in Merriam. That stolen vehicle, which had a 2-year-old child in it, was discovered abandoned a few minutes later, and the child was safe.
To reach Matt Campbell, call 816-234-4902 or send email to mcampbell@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published February 9, 2015 at 6:30 PM.