BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — West Melbourne police officers are working to track down a woman who left the scene after being pulled over by police Thursday, leaving a baby boy behind in the van.
West Melbourne police said the baby is not the woman's child.
The baby, who is about 5 months old, is OK, police said.
The woman, later identified as Mandy Logsdon, 34, pulled into the Publix parking lot and took off after the officer who tried to pull her over discovered she had a suspended license.
Police searched for Logsdon in a wooded area as the officer who conducted the traffic stop stayed with the child.
“Our primary concern at that point was the safety of that baby that had been abandoned in the parking lot,” said Capt. Richard Cordeau.
Police said they know who they're looking for, but are not releasing her name at this time.
Police described Logsdon as white, 4 feet, 11 inches tall, wearing a skintight striped dress in the area of 192 and Haven Drive.
They found drug paraphernalia in her van and purse.
Shoppers at the Publix found the news disturbing.
“Crazy. I don’t know why you would do that. Nothing could be that bad,” said shopper Denise Fitzpatrick.
Police said they are no longer searching for Logsdon on foot, because they’ve identified her and are using other means to locate her.
The Department of Children and Families has custody of the child for now, but it’s not clear when the baby will be reunited with his family.
If anyone sees the woman or has information on her whereabouts, they’re urged to call police.