PARMA, Ohio — The Parma Police Department says investigators believe that an 88-year-old man was behind the wheel when a car struck a mother and her 2-year-old son in an apparent hit-and-run incident in front of Marc’s on Ridgewood Drive last weekend. 

According to a statement from the department, the Parma man has not been taken into custody “because of the ongoing nature of the investigation.” Additionally, due to his “family connection to a civilian employee of the Parma Police Department,” the case has been turned over to the Parma Heights Police Department to avoid a conflict of interest. 

Meanwhile, the car involved has been identified as a dark blue 2022 Toyota Corolla and has been “secured for processing and evidence collection.”

“We would like to thank the community for their quick response in providing aid and comfort to Shalonte and her son Genesis; both have been released from the hospital. Thank you also for the tips and information received, and for your patience as police officers and detectives worked non-stop to bring closure to this incident,” Parma police added in its statement.

Police say 32-year-old Shalonte Maddox and her son Genesis were struck while stepping off a sidewalk onto the parking lot of a Marc’s grocery store located at 7511 West Ridgewood Drive just after 7 p.m. on Friday. Maddox was pushing her son in a shopping cart with him seated in the front when the car struck the pair and made no attempt to stop before continuing east toward Ridge Road, according to police. Police believe he later turned south on Ridge Road. 

The victims were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center for treatment. Maddox told 3News’ Sia Nyokor that both she and Genesis are now home. 

In the meantime, loved ones are collecting stuffed animals, cars, balls, Squishmallows and anything else to make Genesis smile. There is also a GoFundMe if you’d like to contribute.

3News’ Sia Nyokor and Justin McMullen contributed to this report