A tow truck driver in San Antonio, Texas, is under investigation after towing a vehicle with a 5-year-old girl still inside, according to local authorities and ABC affiliate KSAT.
The incident occurred on Monday morning when the girl’s mother called 911 at around 10:55 a.m., reporting her child missing and in danger. The mother, who is nine months pregnant, had parked at an apartment complex, leaving the car running with the hazard lights on while she tried to contact a neighbor.
According to the mother, she kept her daughter within sight while standing outside the apartment. However, a tow truck suddenly “swooped in” and towed the vehicle away, with her daughter still inside. The mother also claimed the tow truck operator failed to follow proper procedures, such as securing the car with chains or installing brake lights before driving off.
A witness who observed the situation offered the distressed mother a ride to chase down the tow truck. Unfortunately, during the pursuit, the mother experienced a medical emergency and was forced to pull over.
Fortunately, the mother was later reunited with her daughter at the towing facility, where the child was found unharmed. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the tow truck driver’s actions.
The San Antonio towing company involved has yet to comment on the incident, despite requests from the U.S. Sun.
In a separate incident, another driver shared her frightening encounter with a tow operator in California. Angelina, who chose to use only her first name, was involved in a multi-car accident and waited on the highway’s shoulder for police to arrive, according to NBC affiliate KNBC.
While waiting, a stranger approached her, offering to be a witness and asking for her contact information. She obliged, but moments after the man left, her phone was bombarded with calls from an apparent scam. Luckily, her refusal to answer the calls protected her from what police described as a “hundred-dollar scam.”
Both incidents highlight the dangers and unexpected challenges drivers can face when dealing with tow operators. Police continue to investigate both cases.