From staff reports
A young Rochester couple found their 5-month-old infant missing when they returned to their car Tuesday night after being in a local store.
Capt. Jim Pittenger said another customer at Shopko North called police about 6:30 p.m. after noticing the infant alone in the vehicle in the parking lot.
Officer Donald Bray responded to the call and found the infant girl in a rear car seat. The door was locked and the window was partially opened. Bray was able to reach inside, unlock the door and remove the infant. He put the infant in a car seat in the squad car and waited for the owners of the vehicle to return.
Pittenger said Bray waited 40 minutes until a young woman came out to the vehicle. Bray said when the woman noticed the infant missing, she ran back into the store and returned within seconds with a man.
ADVERTISEMENT
Pittenger said Bray talked to the couple about the hazards of leaving the infant alone in the car. The infant was returned to the couple, but Pittenger said the matter will be forwarded to Olmsted County Social Services for review and investigation. The infant was not hurt.
