WILLIMANTIC, Conn. (WTNH) — A 3-year-old child who was taken in a stolen car on Wednesday in Willimantic has been safely reunited with their mother, and the suspect, Hanief Baker, 28, has been arrested.
According to police, Baker stole a white 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan from the Valero gas station at around 4:20 p.m. in Willimantic. However, after leaving the gas station, Baker made an unexpected stop in Lebanon. There, he dropped the child off in a parking lot near a veterinary hospital, leaving the child in another vehicle owned by an employee.
Pam Cone, the owner of Meadow Hill Veterinary Shoppe, was shocked when she was informed by an employee that a child had been left inside the car. “She came back in and said, ‘There’s a child in my car, and I don’t have a child,’” Cone said. “We made him some pizza, and all that. He was great, and she showed him videos on her phone because it was a while until his mom got here.”
Willimantic police quickly identified the child and transported them to a hospital for a precautionary evaluation. Thankfully, the child was unharmed.
Baker was arrested and faces several charges, including second-degree kidnapping, robbery involving an occupied motor vehicle, risk of injury to a minor, larceny of a motor vehicle, and second-degree breach of peace. He was held on a $250,000 cash/surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Danielson Superior Court on Thursday.
The Willimantic Police Department expressed gratitude to the officers, dispatchers, and cooperating agencies who worked together to resolve the situation. They also thanked the community for their vigilance and support throughout the incident.
Baker’s actions have left many in the community shaken, but thanks to the swift response from law enforcement and the quick thinking of the veterinary staff, the child is safe and back with their family.