In a bizarre and unsettling incident, a woman’s vehicle was stolen with her young son still inside, but the thief returned to confront her after realizing the child was there.
Samantha Reed, a busy mom from Portland, Oregon, was running errands with her four-year-old son when she decided to leave him in the car, which was running and unlocked, while she dashed into a nearby grocery store just a few feet away. Upon returning, she was horrified to see someone driving off in her car, her son still buckled in the backseat.
According to Samantha’s account to the police, the car thief quickly noticed the child and made a sharp turn back into the shopping center. In a shocking turn of events, he returned the vehicle and reprimanded Samantha for her decision to leave her son unattended. He even threatened to call the police on her. After making her remove her son from the car, he drove off once again with the stolen vehicle.
Local police spokesperson Officer James Carter expressed disbelief at the thief’s audacity, noting that it’s rare for carjackers to scold their victims. He described the incident as a “crime of opportunity” and emphasized that while leaving a child in a car is generally not advised, Samantha was within sight and sound of her child. He added, “It’s a good reminder to take extra precautions when we have our little ones with us.”
Reflecting on the frightening experience, Samantha told reporters, “As moms, we get really busy and think we’re just running in for a second. This is a perfect example of how letting our guards down can lead to terrifying situations.” Overwhelmed with relief, she added, “I’m grateful he’s okay. It was a foolish mistake, and I promise I will never do it again. It was a decision that could have changed everything.”
The stolen vehicle was located later that day in a nearby area, and police expressed gratitude that the child was returned safely.
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Summary:
A Portland mother left her son in her running car while she quickly entered a store, only to have it stolen. The thief returned upon realizing the child was inside, scolded the mother, and drove off again. Local police were shocked by the thief’s behavior, and the incident serves as a cautionary tale about child safety in vehicles.

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