Authorities on the hunt for stolen car suspect, child found unharmed.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

In a shocking incident Thursday, a stolen vehicle with a sleeping 2-year-old child in the back seat prompted a rapid response from local law enforcement officers around 8:23 am in the residential area of Clifton Avenue in Holly Hill.

According to reports, the incident unfolded when the vehicle's owner parked in the driveway of a relative's house and quickly entered the residence to retrieve an item. Seconds later, an unknown individual emerged from across the street, before entering the unattended vehicle and sped off in a northern direction on Clifton Avenue.

The suspect later found the 2-year-old child asleep in a car seat in the back of the stolen vehicle. Fortunately, he abandoned the child by the side of the road in the 200 block of State Avenue. A good Samaritan discovered the toddler and promptly dialed 911 before reuniting the child with their parents.

The stolen vehicle is a red Volkswagen Tiguan bearing Florida license plate AJ7-9FA, and the suspect is believed to be a young male between the ages of 15-20 years old wearing a black hoodie with red lettering on the front, black shorts, and a white hat, who was last seen on 2nd Street heading towards Ridgewood Avenue in Holly Hill.

Anyone with relevant information should contact Sergeant Bentley at 386-248-9478 or via email at tbentley@hollyhillfl.org.