Jun 24, 2009 10:35 pm US/Central
North Suburban Couple Forgets Baby On Metra
WAUKEGAN, Ill. (CBS) ―
Who could forget their little baby and leave it behind on a Metra commuter train? That's the question a lot of people are asking tonight. CBS 2's Mike Parker has some answers.
When you hear the full story of how it happened, it might make a little more sense. But it's still a strange series of events.
The stuff people leave behind on Metra trains; it's all inside the lost and found. It's amazing. Wallets, watches, cell phones, hats, books and scores of umbrellas.
But all this stuff is not nearly as astounding as the living, breathing thing that was left behind on a Metra train Tuesday evening.
"Unfortunately, it was a baby in a pretty large baby carriage," said Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet.
Pardonnet said the incident occurred on a northbound Union Pacific North Line train about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
An unidentified man and woman had the 10-month old in the carriage aboard a crowded north line train headed for North Chicago. When they reached that station, they got off.
"It was very crowded and they got separated as they were exiting the train, and they each thought the other had the baby carriage," Pardonnet said.
As the train pulled away, the couple made a frantic 911 call. By the time the train arrived at its next stop, Waukegan Police were waiting. They boarded the train, rescued the baby and the carriage and arranged a reunion back in North Chicago.
Other riders said the baby was peaceful and smiling on its lonesome journey.
Pardonnet said she had never heard of such an incident.
"We've had cases where people put children on a train who are too young to ride alone. The conductor will call police to handle the situation," she said. "It's a sad thing for a young child to be left on a train alone, but I've never heard of it with a baby."
No charges will be filed against the couple. Chances are they're feeling very lucky tonight, and very protective.
"It's scary and fortunately, a happy ending," Pardonnet said.
Maybe that classic "Home Alone" movie where the traveling family is so frenzied that they leave their little son back at the house by himself won't seem quite so unbelievable now. Certainly not to that couple.
CBS 2's Mike Parker and the STNG Wire contributed to this report.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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