Parents' worst nightmare: The moment a car is stolen with child inside

COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — This is a parent’s worst nightmare: A person stealing your car with your child still strapped inside.

That's exactly what happened to one mother at a gas station in Coweta County on Sunday.

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach worked with the police department and the gas station to get video of the terrifying moments.

The video shows the suspect getting out of a what looks like a silver Lexus Sedan. He first checks the doors on another car at the pumps of the Texaco on Highway 154. Then a red Volkswagen Beetle pulls up.

Eventually, the mother gets out, leaving the car running, keys in the ignition and doors unlocked.

As she goes inside to pay for gas, it’s only 10 seconds before the suspect gets in the passenger side, slides over behind the wheel and drives off -- with the little girl still in the back seat.

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After realizing what happened, the mother got in another car with a woman she did not know to chase after the suspect on the interstate.

Luckily for her, her daughter was dropped off at another gas station.

The mother spoke to Channel 2 Action News over the phone.

“Oh, it was terrifying. You hear this on the news happening and you never think, 'Oh my God, it happened to me,'” the woman said. “Yes, I made mistake. I should have never left my car keys in the car.”

Investigators hope someone recognizes the man in the video and comes forward with information about him. He's wanted for auto theft and kidnapping.

The victim’s car was later found ditched a couple miles away in Union City. It had run out of gas.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office.

Cox Media Group