Father won't be charged after car stolen with baby inside alone - FOX 35 News Orlando

By Maurielle Lue
Fox 2 News

WARREN, Mich. (WJBK) -- A father says he left his three-month-old baby in his running vehicle while he ran into a Warren gas station to pay.  In just seconds, his car was stolen with the baby inside.  Now new video proves he was targeted by the men in a 1994 Buick LeSabre.

The video shows the car circling the gas station driving past pump after pump just waiting for someone to walk away from their running car.  That's when Jesse Greer showed up.

"The passenger of that other car gets out, takes a couple steps towards the station.  I think he's looking to make sure dad's in.  He immediately jumps in that GMC and takes off on Nine Mile and you literally see dad running out giving chase almost on the bumper of the car," said Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green.

The car was found in just a few minutes.  Baby Aubrey was safe inside.  Police say she never woke up.

Greer was lucky.  He told Fox 2 he learned from his mistake.

"I'm very sorry.  I thanked God all night long for her.  I stayed up all night long watching my kid sleep because I didn't want to shut my eyes and lose her."

It may seem like common sense, but leaving a child alone in a car, even for a minute, is against the law.  Greer was facing a misdemeanor.  Warren Police planned to file charges.  Some wanted to see the new father punished, but after looking at the surveillance video, Greene decided no charge would teach Greer a lesson more frightening than the one he had already learned.

"Let's say he gets charged with court costs, $200.  What is that going to do?  People can say whatever they want.  People can be judgmental.  People can be mean spirited about what the intent is, but it does absolutely nothing," Green said.  "That's my decision and I'm standing by it."

Warren Police are now focusing on the real criminals, the men inside a green 1994 LeSabre.  Police say it has three fancy rims and one smaller hubcap on the rear passenger side.

I spoke with Greer by phone.  He told me he is happy Warren Police decided not to file charges.  He said it was a new father mistake and he definitely learned his lesson.