Custody taken in toddler left in impounded car case

A 13-month-old girl was found alone and crying in an impounded vehicle in Metro Detroit over the weekend, prompting a multi-agency investigation involving police from Detroit and Harper Woods.

Vehicle had been towed for parking infractions

According to Harper Woods police, the car had been taken to a tow yard after being impounded on Friday for being abandoned, parked on the wrong side of the street, and blocking a resident's driveway. At the time of the tow, the vehicle was locked and could not be thoroughly searched.

Police were alerted to the possible presence of a missing 1-year-old child in the car and immediately went to the Eastpointe tow yard where it was being held. Harper Woods police found the distressed toddler in the rear seat and took her to a local hospital for medical treatment and observation.

The child, who was unharmed but shaken, was in stable condition by Monday morning and expected to fully recover.

Harper Woods detectives contacted Child Protective Services and opened a case under their authority. Police have a man in custody in connection with the incident and continue investigating.