A massive manhunt took place Wednesday night after a car was stolen from a local Quik Trip that had a four-year-old girl and her 1-month-old sister inside.
According to police, the children had been left unattended while their mother, Precious Wilmer, had gone inside to pay for gas. Wilmer said she left the children, Arya Davenport, 4, and Ava Wilmer, one month old, in the car because of the cold temperatures.
Wilmer told police that, as she was exiting the business, she realized that her vehicle was being driven away with her children in the back seat.
Georgia State University police chief Joseph Spillane called Clayton County police when he saw 4-year-old Arya walking down the shoulder of roadway near I-285 and Riverdale Road.
"It was really surreal because I didn't think I saw what I was seeing because it was a very small child and cars are trying to avoid her on the icy patch of Riverdale Road," Spillane said. "She was more worried really about her little sister. She said, 'Somebody stole my mom's truck and my little sister is still inside,' and that made me very concerned. She was crying. She was very upset."
One-month-old Ava was found along South Fulton Parkway, still sitting in her car seat. The temperature outside was 22 degrees with "dangerous wind chills" when the baby was found, according to the 11Alive News app.
PHOTOS: Baby missing after car stolen
Both children appeared to be unharmed but were transported to a local area hospitals to be checked as a precautionary measure.
"I'm extremely happy," her mother said. "I'm just praying that everything is OK and she'll be fine."
The vehicle was later located by the Atlanta Police Department abandoned near 2285 Metropolitan Parkway.
Authorities are still searching for the suspect who stole the vehicle.
