15- and 12-Year-Old Girls Charged After Stealing Car With Infant Inside in Eden
EDEN, NC — Two young girls, ages 15 and 12, are facing multiple felony charges after allegedly stealing a running vehicle with a 9-month-old baby still strapped in a car seat, police said Saturday.
The incident occurred just after 3 p.m. on Saturday at Draper Pool on Mill Avenue in Eden. Officers with the Eden Police Department were dispatched to the area following a report of a disturbance involving several juveniles.
Teens Allegedly Fled Scene With Baby in Backseat
According to the Eden Police Department, two girls involved in the disturbance — a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old — left the pool during the altercation and entered a nearby running vehicle.
The car’s parents had briefly stepped behind the vehicle, leaving the engine on with their 9-month-old child in the back seat. Authorities say the girls took off in the car with the infant still inside.
Vehicle and Baby Found Unharmed
A short time later, officers located the stolen vehicle and the two suspects on Maryland Avenue. Thankfully, the infant was still secured in the car seat and was found unharmed, officials confirmed.
The 15-year-old was taken into custody by Juvenile Justice, while the 12-year-old was released into her parents’ care.
Charges Filed Against Both Girls
The 15-year-old girl is facing the following charges:
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First-degree kidnapping
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Felony larceny of a motor vehicle
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Breaking and entering a motor vehicle
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Possession of a stolen motor vehicle
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Two counts of assault inflicting serious injury
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Two counts of hit-and-run
The 12-year-old girl has also been charged with:
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First-degree kidnapping
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Felony larceny of a motor vehicle
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Breaking and entering a motor vehicle
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Possession of a stolen motor vehicle
City Officials Respond
Eden Mayor Neville Hall told FOX8 the Draper Pool was closed for the remainder of Saturday and all of Sunday due to the incident. However, he said the city does not anticipate adding new security measures and maintains that the pool remains a safe, fully staffed community facility.
What are your thoughts on how this incident was handled? Let us know in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
