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Police are calling a man on the southeast side of Indianapolis a good Samaritan for doing the right thing when he went to go pick up a package. As he was walking to get his mail, he stumbled upon two car seats in a ditch. Instead of glancing at the strange sight and going on about his business, Robert Deane, went to investigate.
When he did, he found two infant girls who had been kidnapped from a stolen vehicle earlier that morning.
The babies were left outside in 27-degree weather.
The thief left the two babies in below-freezing temperatures. Deane found the babies 4 miles from where the vehicle was reported stolen, USA Todayreported.
“I’d do it again,” Deane said. “If you see something, like a baby in a ditch, say something [and] do something.” It’s unclear how long the two girls were left outside in the below-freezing conditions. Police confirmed that the babies are safe.
Police are still trying to determine who’s responsible.
IMPD is seeking the community’s help in locating the following vehicle that was stolen with a 4-month-old and 5-month-old child in the back.
The plate number on the vehicle is 364CMU. If you see this vehicle, please call 911 immediately.
Follow here for updates. pic.twitter.com/72Y1NAVMZm— IMPD (@IMPDnews) December 2, 2024
“It’s cold out here,” Indianapolis police spokesman William Young said. “Who knows what could have happened if this particular individual was not able to come outside. It’s extremely cold, and we’re still in our early stages of trying to figure out who was responsible for this.”
Someone called the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police to the East Gimber Street to report that a 2013 Hyundai Sonata had been stolen with two babies inside. One baby is 4 months old, the other is 5 months old.
‘I can’t thank that good Samaritan enough,’ police said.
Shortly after an officer located the vehicle, the police received a call from Deane, saying he had found two infants outside. Police have not provided any additional information about how the car was stolen or whether or not the babies were left unattended at the time of the theft.
In reference to Deane and his actions, Young said, “He did what any good person would do. He got those infants to shelter. This is an outcome that we wanted. I can’t thank that good Samaritan enough. We don’t have a suspect in custody, but that will be our next priority is figuring out who is responsible for this particular incident.”
This is the second time a child has come up missing in a stolen car.
At this time, police are continuing to examine the car. They are also asking for anyone with any information about the theft of the car or the kidnapping to come forward.
This is the second time within two weeks that a child has been kidnapped as a result of a car being stolen in the area. Someone on the north side of Indianapolis was warming their car with a child inside when it was stolen.
Police also found that vehicle, but Young advised that people shouldn’t warm their cars in the winter, especially with children inside.
