[Yogi]

Edmonton — Less than a week after a senior was inadvertently kidnapped when the idling pickup truck he was in was stolen, a toddler fell victim to a similar fate.

The 22-month-old girl, who was left in a Saturn Vue left idling and unlocked at a gas station near the intersection of 111 Street and Ellerslie Road on Wednesday night, was allegedly taken for a short ride by a teen thief before he realized he had a passenger.

Once the teen noticed he had stolen more than the sport-utility vehicle, he stopped at a nearby grocery store, dropped the child off and sped away.

But first, police said he slammed into a vehicle whose driver was trying to block the thief’s escape route.

“The gas station where the vehicle was allegedly stolen from is on the same corner as the grocery store in front of which the child was dropped off,” said police spokesman Karen Carlson. “The child was not taken a far distance away.”

She said an Amber Alert was not issued because the situation unfolded too quickly.

Once on the open road, police said the thief headed south, where Leduc RCMP quickly spotted the vehicle on the QE II highway.

Though there was no pursuit, RCMP followed the SUV until it attempted to go around another vehicle while on the off-ramp to Leduc and rolled the Saturn into a ditch, where the driver was promptly arrested.

The strange incident left Leduc RCMP reminding parents to keep close watch over their children.

“We don’t recommend that anybody leave children unattended in a vehicle,” said Const. Jodi Heidinger. “If it’s inevitable and you need to make those stops on the way home, make sure your children are out of the vehicle and accompanying into the store, even if it’s for a mere few seconds.”

Police charged a Wetaskiwin teen in connection with Wednesday’s chase. A 17-year-old is facing a host of charges, including theft over $5,000, kidnapping, unlawful confinement, child abandonment, possession of stolen property over $5,000, criminal flight from police, two counts of dangerous driving and four Traffic Safety Act offences.

He remains in police custody, awaiting a bail hearing.


In the very least, the 'mother' should be charged with 'child endangerment'.But 'after an investigation, police have said that no charges will be laid against 'the mother'"!!!

'The mother' just gave an interview and wants us all to know that " everyone does this, it's just the reality today. I am a good mother"!

Hence my posting this article in R&R's!

Hopefully though, her insurance co. refuses to pay for any damages!