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2-year-old rescued from stolen vehicle while mother makes delivery

1:30
Child rescued from back seat of stolen car
Atlanta Police Department
ByNadine El-Bawab
August 01, 2026, 4:19 PM

A man has been arrested and charged after stealing a running vehicle that had a 2-year-old in it, officials in Georgia said.

The toddler's mother told 911 dispatchers she was dropping off an Instacart order on Thursday when her car was stolen with her 2-year-old daughter in the back seat, according to a recording of the 911 call. On Friday, Atlanta police released body camera footage of the moment officers found the stolen vehicle.

Saleem Martin, 21, has been charged with kidnapping, theft by taking, simple battery, entering automobile, cruelty to children, and criminal attempt to commit a felony, according to the Atlanta Police Department. It's unclear if Martin has legal representation.

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In this booking photo released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Saleem Martin is shown.
Fulton County Sheriff's Office

Investigators determined the vehicle had been left running with the child in it, according to police.

Officers were able to locate the car within 15 minutes using license plate readers in the city, police said.

This screen grab from body cam footage released by the Atlanta Police Department shows an arrest after the theft of a car with a child still in it.
Atlanta Police Department

Body camera footage shows officers approaching the vehicle and telling the suspect to raise his hands and exit the vehicle.

The suspect was immediately handcuffed by officers, the video shows.

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This screen grab from body cam footage released by the Atlanta Police Department shows an arrest after the theft of a car with a child still in it.
Atlanta Police Department

The 2-year-old can be heard crying in the footage as officers try to console her.

The child was found unharmed and was reunited with her parents, police said.

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