Toddler, dog found alone in car following attempted carjacking in Highland Park

Toddler, dog found alone in car in LA

A toddler and dog were found alone in a car after a failed carjacking, police said.

LOS ANGELES - LAPD detectives, along with the Department of Children and Family Services (DFCS), are asking the public's help in identifying a toddler that was found alone in a car. 

What we know:

Just before 10 a.m. on December 28, LAPD Northeast officers responded to a call of an attempted grand theft investigation in the 300 block of North Avenue 52 in Highland Park.

The victim reported that an unidentified man had tried to steal his vehicle and then fled on foot. The victim then looked in his car and, to his surprise, saw a 2-year-old child and a dog left behind.

"I confronted him and asked what he was doing in my car, and he said a dog was trying to attack him," the man, who wishes to remain anonymous, told FOX 11.  

Toddler found alone in car after failed car theft

LAPD and DCFS is asking for the public's help in identifying a child who was found inside a vehicle connected to an attempted auto theft in the Highland Park area.

While calling 911, he said the would-be car thief used wipes to clear his fingerprints from the car. 

Officers said they searched the area but did not locate the suspect. It's unclear how or if the suspect and child are related. 

Police said they’ve exhausted all efforts in identifying the child and placed him with DCFS. They released his picture in hopes the public could identify him. 

According to the LAPD, the dog, who appeared to be familiar with the child, was placed in the care of Los Angeles County Animal Services.

What you can do:

The police department said they have been trying to identify the child but no parents or family members have come forward. The child is described as a 2-year-old boy with curly brown hair, and was wearing a light gray quarter-zip sweater.

Anyone with information that could help identify him or his family is urged to contact the LAPD Northeast Division Watch Commander at (323) 561-3211, or Detective II Ryan Lamar via
email at 39284@lapd.online, or the DCFS Hotline at 1-800-540-4000. You can remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.