Charges filed against felon accused of stealing vehicle with toddler inside

Kidnapping and other felony charges were filed today against a convicted felon accused of stealing a vehicle with a toddler inside in Desert Hot Springs.

Yadira Dolores Flores -- who was on probation from a prior felony vehicle theft conviction -- was arrested about 1:15 a.m. Monday in Cathedral City, about three hours after she allegedly stole the vehicle with the child inside, according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

The youngster -- 2-year-old Anthony Chacon -- was found safe and reunited with his family.

Along with kidnapping, the 31-year-old Desert Hot Springs resident is charged with wilful child cruelty, vehicle theft, receiving a stolen vehicle and sentence-enhancing allegations of committing an auto theft with priors. Flores, who is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside, is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

According to police, the boy's mother reported her car was stolen from in front of a business in the 13700 block of Palm Drive about 10:15 p.m. Sunday, and her child was inside. Several neighboring law enforcement agencies responded to assist in the search, and an Amber Alert was issued to find Anthony.

Hear from the mom of the kidnapped toddler

Three hours after the car was stolen, a pedestrian walking in the 67500 block of Ramon Road in Cathedral City saw a car parked in an open field matching the description of the vehicle in the Amber Alert. She approached and saw a child in the backseat, picked him up and called 911, authorities said.

Meanwhile, Cathedral City police officers patrolling the area of Sarah Street and Agua Caliente Trail saw a woman -- later identified as Flores -- matching the suspect's description and took her into custody.

After the boy was returned to his family, police publicly warned residents against leaving children in unattended running vehicles.