Baby Girl Found Safe 12 Hours After Car She’s in Is Stolen

Somehow, Tanisha Jackson knew that she would find her stolen baby.

Jackson had left 15-month-old Erica in the family sedan Tuesday night while she dashed in her house to get something.

When she returned, the car and Erica were gone.

Worried friends and family members frantically searched their Hyde Park neighborhood in South Los Angeles. There were prayers and tears and moments of dark foreboding.

Still, Tanisha Jackson knew.

“It was just something inside of me that said she was all right,” the mother said.

Wednesday morning, after 12 hours, the Jackson’s car was found parked behind a Hyde Park apartment building about half a mile from the Jackson home. Erica was still strapped in her seat--unharmed.

“She was just sitting in the car holding an empty bottle and looking out the window,” Officer Roger Gaylord said.

Lt. Larry Hinrichs said the thief was probably out for a joy ride and did not realize at first that the baby was in the car. Jackson had left the motor running when she ran into the house.

“It looks at this time as if it’s an opportunistic car theft as opposed to a kidnaping,” he said.

Police have made no arrests.

After the baby was found, police officers took her to the 77th Division station to be reunited with her parents.

Back home, Erica played with other young relatives on the porch, seemingly oblivious to the commotion and the scores of reporters clamoring to photograph and film her. The bright-eyed little girl was much in demand, as family members and other well-wishers scooped her up and showered her with kisses.

“I said about four or five prayers last night hoping to find her,” said Eric Jackson, the baby’s father. “I figured if God was with me he’d bring her back to me. . . . I never want to go through that again.”