A young child and a dog were found alone inside a vehicle Sunday morning after an attempted car theft in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles, authorities said. The case took a major turn this week with the arrest of the child’s mother on suspicion of child endangerment and related felony charges.
Shortly before 10 a.m. on December 28, Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to the 300 block of North Avenue 52 after a car owner reported someone trying to steal his vehicle. When the owner confronted the suspect, the man fled on foot, leaving behind the victim’s car. To the owner’s shock, an approximately 18-month-old boy was inside the back seat, and a dog — believed to be familiar with the child — was nearby.
Officers cleared the child medically and placed him into protective custody with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. The dog, which had no tags or microchip, was taken in by Los Angeles County Animal Services. Initial efforts to identify the child and locate family members were unsuccessful, prompting authorities to seek public help.
On Tuesday night, police located and arrested 19-year-old Bianca Slaughter, the toddler’s mother, on suspicion of child abandonment and related felony charges. Details about the exact charges have not been fully released, but investigators said community assistance and follow-up work helped identify both the child and his biological parents.
The male suspect who attempted the vehicle theft and fled remains at large, police said. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information about the case — including details about the dog’s ownership or the identity of the suspect — to contact the LAPD Northeast Division.
Under California law, leaving a young child unattended in a vehicle under dangerous conditions can result in serious legal consequences, particularly when combined with other criminal conduct.
The toddler will remain in the care of child welfare services while the investigation continues into how he came to be left in the vehicle during the attempted theft.
