VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office announced that a child had been safely reunited with his family after his mother’s car was stolen while he was asleep in the back seat. The suspect responsible for the theft is still at large, according to law enforcement officials.

The incident occurred on the 300 block of Clifton Avenue, where the child’s mother had briefly entered a relative’s house to retrieve something. During this short period, the suspect took advantage of the situation and drove off with the vehicle, unaware that the 2-year-old boy was inside.

Shortly afterward, a concerned individual contacted emergency services, informing them that the child had been left in the parking lot of an auto body shop on the 200 block of State Avenue.

Video footage released by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office captured the deputies’ response as they swiftly arrived at the scene to retrieve the child. Fortunately, the boy was found to be in good health and was reunited with his family.

The stolen vehicle, a red Volkswagen Tiguan with the Florida license plate AJ7-9FA, is still missing. The suspect is described as a male between the ages of 15 and 20, wearing a black hoodie adorned with red lettering and a white hat.

Both the Holly Hill Police Department and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office are asking to the public for any information that may aid in identifying the suspect or locating the stolen vehicle. They encourage individuals to come forward or submit anonymous tips to assist in the ongoing investigation.