Infant Abandoned In Lakewood Walmart, Parents Sought
LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) – Authorities are looking for the family of an infant who was found abandoned in a Walmart restroom last week.
At around 11:45 a.m. on Oct. 8, a boy was discovered by a customer abandoned in a men's public restroom at a Walmart located in 2770 East Carson St. in Lakewood.
He's estimated at between 12 and 15 months in age, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reports.
He's described as African-American, weighing about 20 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
Denise Wallace couldn't hold back tears when she heard the news.
"I have five grandchildren, I can't imagine throwing a baby away," she said.
The infant has not yet been identified and the child's parents or guardians have not yet been found, the sheriff's department reports.
Surveillance footage of a person of interest in the case has been released. The man in question is seen driving away from the Walmart in a beige or gold colored 2000 or 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.
Authorities said after combing through hours of store security video and not seeing anyone carrying or holding a baby near the restroom, they believe the infant was possibly concealed in the man's backpack.
The bag appeared to be full on the way in but not on the way out. Investigators said while the man may have an explanation, his behavior was unusual.
"He did not have license plates on his car. He parked as far away from the front door as possible – where there was no other cars," said Lt. Todd Deeds with LASD. "When he walked into Walmart, he walked directly to the men's bathroom. He was there for a couple minutes and then he's seen leaving. As he walked to his car, he walked at a very fast pace. "
Anyone with information on the case should call police at 877-710-5273.
