Mother reunited with child left alone in Soundview Dunkin'
Police say it happened around 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Dunkin’ on Westchester Avenue.
More Stories
A mother was reunited with her baby in Soundview after what police believe was a misunderstanding at a coffee shop.
Police say it happened around 8 a.m. Tuesday at the Dunkin’ on Westchester Avenue. During what baristas describe as their morning rush, the mother walked in with a stroller and another toddler.
Shortly after placing her order, workers say she left without the stroller that was parked next to an empty table.
It took about five minutes for anyone to realize what was thought to be an abandoned child and call police.
Officers soon arrived, placing the infant - believed to be 3 to 4 months old - into a cruiser and brought him to the 43rd Precinct.
“She left the bottle and everything. He had a pacifier in his mouth like he was ready to be sold,” said one eyewitness.
Store employees say the mother came running back nearly an hour later, crying and asking, “Where’s my child?”
Police say it was all a misunderstanding. The mother told investigators she was rushing to take her other child to a doctor’s appointment and accidentally forgot her baby at the coffee shop.
Local parents say they were still stunned.
“How can’t you realize before leaving the store that your baby was not with you!” said one parent.
Investigators determined there was no criminal intent. The mother and child were reunited at the precinct later Tuesday afternoon.
