An eastern Missouri toddler is back with her family after a thief stole a Jeep with her inside.

A 25-year-old woman pulled into a service station in Imperial Wednesday afternoon.

She went inside and left the vehicle running with her 19-month-old daughter in the Jeep.

When she came out the Jeep and the girl were gone.  Police found the child a short time later.

 

She had been dropped off in the driveway of a nearby home, still in her car seat. The homeowner says the suspect told him he found the child along the road.

A Jefferson County deputy spotted the stolen Jeep hours later and arrested the suspect.

Police say the mother may also face charges for leaving the child unattended.