A 39-year-old Selden woman is under arrest After police say she left a sleeping 7-year-old child unattended and a running car outside of a riverhead business on Christmas; a car that was subsequently stolen, prompting a massive and desperate search by several law enforcement agencies to locate the vehicle and the innocent child within.
According to Riverhead Town Police, the woman had left her Ford Fusion running with the heat on while she went inside the Riverhead Stationery store at approximately 11 p.m. on Monday. While she was inside, an unidentified suspect jumped into the vehicle - the child still sleeping in the back seat - and drove off, officials say.
Rriverhead, Southampton, and New York State Police conducted a widespread and intense search for the missing vehicle, which was eventually discovered in Flanders approximately four miles from where it was stolen. Authorities report that the child was discovered completely unharmed, still sleeping in the back seat where he was originally left.
Suffolk County police utilizing canine units conducted a search of the surrounding area for the suspect who had stolen the vehicle, but were unable to locate them.
The owner of the vehicle - whose identity was not publicly released to protect the identity of the child victim - was arrested on charges of endangering the welfare of a child.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact the Riverhead Town Police Department at 631-727-4500.