Witness: Dad abandoned son while shoplifting

Toddler left in grocery store parking lot

HOUSTON – Houston police are investigating a man who is accused of stealing beer and baby wipes with a toddler in tow, and then abandoning the baby to flee the scene.

Police responded to the Fiesta grocery store in the 11200 block of Fondren for reports of a shoplifter.

Witnesses said security guards were chasing a man out of the store who had a young boy in a stroller.

The man was allegedly stealing beer and baby wipes.

"Diaper wipes and a can of beer. It's just crazy," said Quin Tuskemp.

Tuskemp told Local 2 he was walking into the store when the incident happened and saw the whole thing. He said the man had the beer and baby wipes stashed inside the stroller. 

"He took off running and never came back," Tuskemp said.

He also said the man left the baby behind.

"He was looking around like he didn't know what was going on," said Tuskemp. "My heart went out to him because I have a child his age. It was sad."

Local 2 was told the little boy is safe and was reunited with other family members, but what happened to the accused shoplifter is still unclear.