3-year-old safe after car stolen in southeast Atlanta

ATLANTA - A 3-year-old is safe after police said a thief took off in a car with the child in the backseat.

The car and child were found along Eastland Road in southeast Atlanta.

Police said the car was stolen from outside a strip mall on Moreland Avenue near East Confederate Avenue.

That's right on the Fulton-DeKalb county line.

Authorities said the driver actually left the 3-year-old in the backseat of the running vehicle and that's when a thief hopped inside and drove off.

The car was abandoned at the Texaco a short time ago and that child is safe.

The victim's mom contacted FOX 5 News to say the car wasn't left running, but the keys were left inside.