By ,
Published September 26, 2017
A 16-day-old infant is in critical condition after his dad abandoned him Monday in the parking lot of a California strip mall, officials said.
In surveillance footage obtained by FOX 40 Sacramento, Daniel Mitchell, 18, was seen driving up to a parking spot in Suisun City, and opening the door to the back seat of his car. When he drove away, a car seat is seen left behind on the ground.
A group of bystanders at a nearby barber shop noticed the car seat and saw the baby inside after Mitchell drove away, FOX 40 reported.
The 18-year-old was later involved in a hit-and-run crash in a neighboring town, where police officers found him and transported him to a hospital, officials said.
After tests were run on the baby at a hospital, it was discovered the 16-day-old had an unspecified condition and was flown to another medical center for further treatment.
Police arrested Mitchell on probable cause for child endangerment and abandonment, in addition to committing a felony while on bail and misdemeanor possession of suspected cocaine.
The baby's mother, who is married to Mitchell, has spoken with police and is not a suspect, authorities said.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-father-abandons-infant-in-parking-lot-cops-say