Authorities in New York canceled the search for a 1-year-old boy who was falsely reported as abducted following an armed carjacking early on Monday while the baby boy was still inside the vehicle.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) said in a news release that at approximately 6 a.m., they responded to an emergency call involving two armed suspects who had approached the child’s father and threatened to shoot him before stealing his car while also “abducting” his son.
In an update, the NYPD said the father of the child lied about the incident, later telling officials that his child was actually never inside the car. He maintained that his car was stolen in an armed robbery.
The child was “found in the care of a relative” in Pennsylvania and is “not in danger,” according to the NYPD.
The father initially reported to authorities that his son was in the back seat of a 2005 gold Honda Accord at the time it was stolen on East 117th Street and 1st Avenue.
ADVISORY: This morning at approx. 6:00 AM, at East 117 St and 1st Ave in Manhattan, two suspects approached a male in the above vehicle, threatened to shoot him, then took the car with the victim’s 1-year-old son still inside. Any information please call 911 immediately. pic.twitter.com/15q72a9EK6
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 20, 2022
The vehicle is a gold 2005 Honda Accord with a NY license plate number KNB1341. Below is a stock image of the vehicle for reference. Again, if you see the above vehicle, please call 911 immediately. pic.twitter.com/qyM8ucmIJZ
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 20, 2022
Police shared footage of the Honda Accord, having a New York license plate with the number KNB1341. A stock image of the car was also shared on social media at the time for reference as authorities launched their search.
The NYPD has confirmed that the vehicle has been located. The car was parked with nobody inside near 153rd Street and Gerard Avenue.
“I’m relieved to hear that the child is safe, thank God,” a resident who lives in the area and had learned about the story told CBS News.
Police said the case remains under investigation and surveillance footage will be reviewed in Harlem and the Bronx to determine the validity of the father’s story.
It is unclear if the father will face any charges for filing a false report.