A baby was found abandoned on the side of a rural highway in Australia after its mother was allegedly carjacked upon stopping to assist a man. Police were called to the Murray Valley Highway near Swan Hill, on the Victoria-New South Wales border, around 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday.
Authorities believe a 51-year-old man flagged down the 36-year-old woman. When she exited her vehicle to help, a struggle allegedly ensued, and the man stole her Holden Commodore, which had the baby inside. The seven-month-old infant was subsequently found by a passerby a short distance from the initial incident.
The mother, who sustained minor injuries, and her uninjured baby were reunited and transported to a local hospital. The stolen vehicle was later discovered abandoned in bushland approximately 12 kilometers away.
Several hours after the incident, a 51-year-old man from Swan Hill was arrested. He has been charged with multiple offenses, including carjacking, committing an indictable offense while on bail, and contravening bail conditions. Additional charges include child stealing and unlawful assault. The man has been remanded and is scheduled to appear at Mildura Magistrates' Court on December 2.