Jacksonville toddler safely reunited after car theft outside CVS; suspect charged with grand theft auto, battery
Incident unfolded during brief stop at Duclay-area CVS
A 19-month-old child was safely reunited with their mother after a vehicle theft in Jacksonville escalated into a search for the toddler, authorities said. The incident began on Jan. 8, 2026, outside a CVS near the intersection of Collins Road and Blanding Boulevard in the city’s Duclay area.
Police said the mother left her vehicle running while she went inside the store for a short time. During that window, a man got into the vehicle and drove away, prompting an emergency response and a search that involved officers and dispatchers gathering information from witnesses and nearby locations.
Vehicle located quickly; child found separately
Officers located the stolen vehicle in less than 20 minutes, police said. The toddler, however, was not inside the car when it was recovered.
Witness accounts provided to 911 dispatchers indicated the suspect removed the child from the vehicle shortly after the theft. Police later found the toddler at a nearby store and returned the child to the mother. No injuries were reported by police in connection with the child’s recovery.
Police characterized the case as a stolen vehicle incident that immediately became a child-safety emergency because the toddler was inside at the time of the theft.
Arrest and charges
Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Micah Simmons, who was taken into custody after the child was found and the vehicle was recovered. Authorities said Simmons faces charges that include grand theft auto and battery.
Police have not released additional details about the battery allegation in public summaries tied to the incident.
Legal and safety context: leaving a vehicle running unattended
Florida law generally prohibits leaving a motor vehicle unattended without stopping the engine and removing the key. After the incident, law enforcement emphasized that leaving a vehicle running while unattended can create opportunities for theft, particularly in high-traffic stops such as convenience stores and gas stations.
Date of incident: Jan. 8, 2026
Location: CVS near Collins Road and Blanding Boulevard, Jacksonville
Outcome: Vehicle recovered; child located and reunited with mother
Suspect: Micah Simmons, 22
Charges announced: Grand theft auto and battery
The case underscores how quickly routine theft calls can shift into time-sensitive searches when a child is present, and how witness reports can become central to narrowing where a child may have been taken after a suspect leaves a vehicle.