Woman Returns Missing Child

A 2-year-old girl missing since Sunday when her father left her at MacArthur Park was dropped off by an unidentified woman at a Mid-Wilshire-area restaurant early Thursday morning, Los Angeles police said.

Valerie Hummingbird was taken by police to nearby Queen of Angels Medical Center, where officials determined that she was in good physical condition except for a “slight cold,” Detective Robert Thoreson said.

Thoreson said police have a vague description of the woman who left Valerie about 8 p.m. with the owner of the Mi Tierra restaurant, which shares a building with the Olympian Hotel at 1905 W. Olympic Blvd.

“She walked into the hotel lobby and said, ‘Call police; I found the baby,’ ” Thoreson said. “Then she walked away.”

When she was found, Valerie was wearing new clothing and shoes, and her head had been shaved, perhaps to remove head lice, Thoreson said.

The girl was reunited with her father, Edward Hummingbird of Los Angeles, and her 7-year-old sister, Tina, at the Rampart Division police station three hours later.

“I’ve learned my lesson,” the weeping father said. “I’ll never let her out of my sight again.”

Thoreson said the department will consider seeking child endangerment charges against Hummingbird, who had left Valerie in the park with the 7-year-old on Sunday and did not report her missing until the next day.