A 3-month-old baby was left behind at a northeast Philadelphia Walmart on Thursday night after store security guards interrupted three people who were believed to be in the midst of a shoplifting incident. It is unknown what they were allegedly trying to steal. The three adults fled the store after the interaction with security, leaving behind the unattended infant.
Philadelphia police were contacted about 11 p.m. Thursday when the store in the 4300 block of Byberry Road reported the abandoned infant. Police have not disclosed the relationship between the adults and the baby, so it was unknown why the child was with them at the store. The baby girl, whose name has not been released, was assessed by paramedics before being transported to a hospital for evaluation.
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The baby is in stable condition.
The baby girl was evaluated at Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital, where it was determined she was in a stable medical condition and did not suffer any ill effects while she was unattended at the store, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. She was taken into custody by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services while police investigate the matter.
No arrests have been made in this case yet.
The case is being investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department's Special Victims Unit, and no charges have yet been filed, People reported. Police sources report that at least one of the baby's parents has been contacted and does not appear to have been one of three adults (two men and one woman) involved in the alleged shoplifting incident. It is unclear if or when the child will be released back into parental custody.
Police urge anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact them.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact the Special Victims Unit at 215-685-3260, submit a tip anonymously through the PPD’s tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477), or call 911.
According to People, representatives for the Department of Human Services and the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office have not yet released the names of the adults involved or additional statements about the incident.
