4-year-old safely recovered after car theft in Quad Cities, 5 teenagers apprehended

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (WAND) — A four-year-old is safely back with her mother after the car she was sitting in was stolen Thursday morning.

The Rock Island Police Department said that the child was in the backseat of a Saturn Outlook when it was stolen around 6 a.m. The car was found abandoned about 15 minutes later, but the girl was missing.

Officers canvassed the area and used drones to search for nearly nine hours before the girl was found. She was reunited with her mother and taken to a hospital for evaluation, but appeared to be in good health.

Multiple arrests were made, including four teenagers and Jaron Bailey-Harris, 18. The teenagers, who were not named, were all charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and one teen was also charged with kidnapping.

Bailey-Harris was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a stolen vehicle.

“While this incident had the high potential to become an unbelievable tragedy, it ultimately resulted in the best possible outcome, due large in part to the incredibly cooperative efforts between the Quad City, State and Federal Law Enforcement agencies working side by side with concerned citizens and our media organizations," Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud. "I’m proud to have seen what we can accomplish when we all work together toward a common goal, and you all have my most sincere gratitude.”