Toddler found after being taken during car theft

A toddler who was in a car when it was stolen in Newham, east London, has been found.

Maria Tudorica’s uncle confirmed to Sky News that she was safe and said she was “perfect, perfect, perfect”.

The girl’s father had met with an unknown man at 4.37pm on Sunday, with a view to selling his car after posting an ad on website Gumtree earlier in the day.

But the supposed buyer jumped in the car and drove away, with Maria in the front passenger seat.

The car was later found abandoned nearby but the 17-month-old girl was not inside.

After she was found four hours later, her uncle, Gheorghe Stelica, thanked God and local people who had helped in the search.

“I feel born again,” he said. “I feel I am a new guy. I feel over 1,000-times relief.”

During the hours Maria was missing hundreds of people had tweeted appeals to find her, using the hashtag #findmaria.

Within an hour of the appeal being made, local search parties had been organised, with some people wearing hi-vis jackets as they helped to look for Maria.

She was found on Ruskin Avenue, halfway between Nine Acres Close, where the car was stolen, and Hathaway Crescent, where it was abandoned.

“Delighted to report that missing child Maria Tudorica aged 17 months has now been found safe and well in the Ruskin Avenue, E12 area,” the Met Police tweeted.

“Thanks to media and all members of the public who have helped with this appeal.”

Describing what had happened when the car was stolen, Maria’s uncle said his brother had placed the child on the front seat as he demonstrated the engine.

“My brother left his girl on the seat and started the engine to show him the car. He said let me check the engine a bit,” he said.

“He jumped up in the driver’s side and – boom – straight away he went with the car.”

The man who stole the car, described as Asian with a slim build and dressed in black, has not been found.

(c) Sky News 2019: Toddler found after being taken during car theft