COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Police in Colorado Springs arrested the father of a 3-month-old girl who police say was left unattended in a running vehicle that was targeted by a thief.
The girl was later found unharmed in her car seat after the thief ditched the child near a dumpster, police say.
Dustin Sargent-Davis, 36, was arrested Tuesday and is facing a misdemeanor child abuse charge after Monday’s incident. He was released on summons.
Police say Sargent-Davis left his 2007 Dodge pick-up truck, with the child inside, running outside a business in the 3500 block of North Carefree Circle when the thief hopped in and took off.
Sargent-Davis told Denver7 news partner KRDOhe left his daughter in the running truck because he didn't want to wake her up while he was picking up his son at a preschool nearby.
About 20 minutes later, police received a call of a young child found behind a business in the 3300 block of North Academy Boulevard, secure in a car seat next to a dumpster.
Officers immediately responded to the Academy Boulevard business where the child was evaluated by paramedics and determined to have no injuries. She was later returned to the custody of Sargent-Davis.
Police are still looking for the thief and the stolen pickup truck. Officers are requesting the assistance of the community in locating the gray Dodge pick-up truck with Colorado license plate OJL 030. A suspect description has not been released.