In a startling incident reported by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, a man took an unattended vehicle from a CVS parking lot, unaware that a baby was inside. The child’s mother had gone into the store, leaving the car momentarily unsupervised.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Newly released body camera footage from the Jacksonville authorities reveals the unfolding of an investigation into a car theft outside a Jacksonville CVS, during which a baby was unwittingly abducted with the vehicle.
Footage captured on January 8, 2026, depicts officers arriving at the scene near Collins Road and Blanding Boulevard in the Duclay neighborhood, where they encountered a distraught woman.
According to the sheriff’s office, the woman had left her vehicle running while she quickly went inside the store. In that brief time, someone took the car — with her 19-month-old child asleep in the back seat.
During the frantic search, the sheriff’s office received a report of a child being abandoned at a nearby gas station. The arrest report noted that a witness observed a man placing the baby on the ground after removing them from the car, before fleeing the scene.
As officers searched for the car, JSO said a call came in about a child being left at a nearby gas station. According to the arrest report, a witness described seeing a man removing the baby from the car and pushing them down to the ground before driving off.
The car was later found running at an apartment complex close by, and the suspect, identified as Micah Simmons, 22, was detained after being spotted walking nearby, according to the report. Simmons allegedly admitted to taking the car, and said that he panicked when he realized there was a baby in the back, leading him to abandon them both.
“The suspect added that this is often a practice of his where he looks for unattended vehicles that are left running and he takes them as they are easy targets,” an officer said in the arrest report.
On his person, JSO said they found several cards, checks and an ID belonging to the victim.
“While we do not justify Simmons’ actions and are working to ensure justice is served, this incident is an important reminder: never leave a running vehicle unattended. If you’re stepping away from your car even for a few minutes turn it off and take your keys with you,” the sheriff’s office wrote on social media.
Simmons was subsequently arrested on several charges, including grand theft auto and battery. He has pleaded not guilty on all counts.
