Toddler Abduction Report 'Unfounded'

Santa Monica police have determined that a report of a 2-year-girl who was possibly abducted in downtown Santa Monica on Thursday afternoon was unfounded, the city stated in an email that was sent to residents.

Initially, Santa Monica police Sgt. Francisco Franco said the department was investigating a reported abduction at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Second Street that had occurred around 3:40 p.m.

The location is about a block away from the Third Street Promenade and a short distance away from the beach.

But shortly after 5 p.m., the city of Santa Monica sent out a statement that said the report was “unfounded.”

“The Santa Monica Police Department has determined that the reported kidnapping is unfounded,” the statement read. “A follow up investigation is now being conducted regarding a possible theft of property.”

Police later said that the toddler was safe with her grandmother in Hesperia, and that they were investigating whether the mother had made the story up.

A heavy police presence could be seen at the intersection at around 5:30 p.m., and traffic appeared to have temporarily been blocked off on Santa Monica Boulevard, aerial video showed.

It appeared that a woman was taken into custody by police, according to the aerial video.

It was unclear whether the woman was the toddler’s mother.