(NewsNation) — A mother is in custody after her toddler was left behind during an attempted car theft investigation, NewsNation local affiliate KTLA reported.
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call on Dec. 28 in the Highland Park area of the city, where an individual told authorities a Hispanic man had tried to steal their car before running away, leaving behind a young boy and a dog.
Police initially could not identify the child and asked for the public’s help. Through “the assistance of the community,” police later identified both the boy and his 19-year-old mother, Bianca Slaughter.
Slaughter is in LAPD custody, but no charges have been listed, KTLA reported.
The boy remains in the custody of the state’s Department of Children and Family Services, and the dog has been placed with the Los Angeles County Animal Services.