Woman Allegedly Takes SUV On Joy Ride, Unaware Of Child Inside

MARINA DEL REY, CA – A homeless woman was facing charges Monday after she was arrested for allegedly taking an SUV with a 20-month-old child inside near Marina del Rey.

The mother had left the child in her running car about 2:15 p.m. on Feb. 2 while she entered a shoe store in the 13400 block of Maxella Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"When she returned, she discovered her car and child were missing," according to a police statement.

The vehicle was found, with the child unharmed inside, about 5 p.m. the same day. It was abandoned about a mile and a half away near the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Lake Street, police said.

Investigators obtained security video showing the suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Mandy Xing, and on Thursday detectives spotted her in the 4000 block of Del Rey Avenue, where she was arrested.

Police said Xing admitted to taking the SUV for a joy ride and abandoned the vehicle when she realized the child was inside.

City News Service contributed to this post; Image via Shutterstock