Father Claims 3-Year-Old Abandoned Girl At Grove Shopping Center

The 3-year-old girl who was abandoned on Saturday at the Grove shopping center has been claimed by her father. Per the L.A. Times, the girl, named Audrey, was dropped off by a young female in the valet parking lot in her car seat, and was never picked up, as reported by Inquisitr.

Parking attendants witnessed the incident and immediately called the Los Angeles Police Department who placed the 3-year-old in the care of the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services while officers attempted to find the girl’s parents or guardian.

Authorities were still seeking the girl’s parents on Sunday until a man stepped forward claiming to be Audrey’s father, as reported by NBC Los Angeles.

The father said he wasn’t aware that his 3-year-old daughter was missing, although he had been trying to get in touch with her. Audrey was allegedly with a female relative who was babysitting her then dropped her off at the Grove shopping center.

NBC Los Angeles says the police are treating the incident as a misunderstanding.

Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Lonnie Tiano states that the Child and Family Services still had to verify if the man claiming to be Audrey’s father is in fact her real parent. The two have yet to be reunited.

Since this story broke, there was an overwhelming response from the public of people offering gifts and even offering a home to the abandoned little girl who stole the hearts of many who saw her picture and heard the story.

Lt. Tiano was hoping the parents would be watching the news, see their child, and call to claim the little girl.

That is exactly what happened with Audrey’s grandfather who lives in San Diego. According to NBC Los Angeles, Audrey’s grandfather saw her picture on the news and immediately called his son to tell him Audrey was missing.

The son was supposedly already looking for his daughter by the time his father called him.

NBC Los Angeles reports, “the father told authorities that he was looking for his daughter at The Grove until 11 p.m., but assumed that the person Audrey was with had taken her home. They were supposed to meet at The Grove earlier that day.”

Photo Credit: ABC13.com