Car stolen in front of NJ preschool still had baby inside

ORANGE — A car stolen from the front of a preschool with a baby in the back was found a few blocks away Monday afternoon.

A city spokesman told NJ.com that the car with an 8-month-old boy was taken from the corner of Joyce Street and Scotland Road in front of the Blessed Hope Daycare Center around 5:30 p.m.

Both the child and vehicle were found about a mile from the daycare on Convover Terrace by an Essex County Sheriff's Officer, according to Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura.

The child was still strapped into its seat in the back sleeping. A member of St. Clare’s EMS evaluated the boy and turned him into the custody of his father, according to Fontoura.

"I am proud of the exemplary work done by this Essex County Sheriff’s Officer. His quick thinking and actions served to not only locate a stolen vehicle but to rescue a child left alone in an abandoned car," Fontoura said in a statement.

Orange police on Tuesday morning did not respond to New Jersey 101.5's request for more information.

Dan Alexander is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com

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