Man sought in baby abduction during north Houston car theft Infant was inside mother's vehicle when it was stolen

Police released a composite sketch of a suspect wanted in the abduction of a baby girl during a car theft. Police released a composite sketch of a suspect wanted in the abduction of a baby girl during a car theft. Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Man sought in baby abduction during north Houston car theft 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

Police released a composite sketch of a man suspected in the abduction of an 8-month-old girl who was found safe hours after she was taken Monday morning in a car theft at a gas station in north Houston.

Genesis Hailey was taken about 1 a.m. while she was inside the car at a service station at 1110 North Sam Houston Parkway West, according to the Houston Police Department. She was in the car while her mother ran inside the gas station.

"The vehicle was left running with the keys in the ignition," said Lt. Humberto Lopez with the homicide division.

The few seconds it took for the woman to go inside the store was enough for someone to make off with her car and her sleeping child.

"He was actually in such a hurry that he left the driver's door open while he fled," said Shaun Sylvester, an HPD homicide detective.

The frantic mother ran home to call 911, telling HPD officers she was unable to convince a store clerk to notify the police, authorities said. Police did not release the mother's name.

The theft triggered an Amber Alert that sent police swarming the area for any sign of Genesis and her mother's Saturn Ion sedan.

The car was found abandoned about 3:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of Greens Parkway, about a mile from the gas station. But Genesis was not inside, authorities said.

A jogger flagged down HPD officer Albert Pizana shortly before 8 a.m. along the 11300 block of Ella. Although the jogger spoke little English, she motioned toward an overgrown area of bushes and trees.

"I looked over to the bushes and I was able to see the car seat," said Pizana. "I went over there and saw the baby."

The child had what appeared to be a few ant bites but otherwise seemed relatively healthy.

Pizana picked her up and walked back to his patrol car. A father himself, Pizana said he knew babies liked to be swaddled. "We don't have any blankets, so I decided to use my uniform shirt. That calmed her down," he said.

Genesis was checked out at Texas Children's Hospital and later released to her mother.

"She's alive and well and has the rest of her life ahead of her," Pizana said.

Police described the abductor as a black man in his late teens to early 20s with a thin build. He is about 5 feet 9 and weighs 140 pounds. He has a high-top haircut and a blond or white patch on the top of his head.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.