Toddler Kidnapped From Ambler Home Found In Philadelphia
By Jim Melwert, Dray Clark and Diana Rocco
UPPER DUBLIN, Pa. (CBS) - A two-year-old boy who was kidnapped in a bizarre incident late Tuesday night was found Wednesday morning in Philadelphia.
The Amber Alert issued for Tymire Smith was cancelled after a police officer found the boy alone, wandering the streets of West Philadelphia just after 4 a.m. near 66th and Malvern. The boy was taken to the hospital for examination and appears to be in good condition.
Upper Dublin Police Chief Lee Benson says Tymire was taken from the arms of his father by three armed men at The Woods apartment complex in Ambler at about 10 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities believe it started as a robbery.
The child's father was walking in the front door holding his son when he was approached at gunpoint by three men wearing masks.
"He was heading inside and was immediately assaulted by three men with masks. He did not know them, couldn't see who they were. They were wearing masks. They had a gun and were able to wrestle away the child," Benson said. "He fought to try to retain his child, his two-year-old child. Put up a good fight. He was assaulted, a gun was shown, and they got the child away from him. Took the keys to his rental car and fled the scene."
Police are still looking for the men. They drove off in a dark-colored Chrysler 300 with PA tag HYJ-6836.
Police don't yet know why the toddler was taken, but Benson says the officer who found him went to 66th and Malvern because of previous similar investigations. He wouldn't elaborate, but just last week, Philadelphia police were investigating an abduction from near where the boy was found, that investigators said was likely drug-related.
People in this neighborhood are outraged someone would leave a baby alone on the street at that hour.
"I can't even imagine no one doing that to a child. It's cruel," said one neighbor.
