Calif. mom reunited with car, son after vehicle with 5-year-old inside was stolen

(CBS) SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. - A Sacramento County mother is thankful her 5-year-old son is safe, after a thief allegedly stole her car with the child inside, CBS Sacramento reported.

The woman, whose name is Toni, had left the child in the car with it running and unlocked, while she ran into Merryhill Country School to pick up her other son.

When she came out, the car - and the 5-year-old - were gone.

"I feel bad. I feel like it's my fault, because it's a daily thing," Toni told the station. "I just go in for five minutes, and I got back out, and it (the car) is always right there.

She called 911, frantic.

"My car gets taken, and my baby's gone, and I come around the corner and he's crying," Toni said.

The alleged thief had left the car - and the child - about 30 yards away.

The boy says he wasn't scared, but told CBS Sacramento what happened.

"A guy got in the car, and he drove," he said.

The boy's mother filled in some of the details.

"He said, 'Mommy, the man took your purse,' and I said, 'OK, are you OK?' and he said, 'I'm fine,' and we just started crying," Toni said.

Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies say it was likely a crime of opportunity.

"He was lucky enough to find a car that was running and thought he had a free car for a moment," said Lt. Tim Cotter.