POLICE last night said they were "delighted" to report a one-year-old girl who had been in her father's car when it was stolen had finally been found.
Scotland Yard officers had been desperately searching for the 17-month-old girl who was abducted by a man as he took the vehicle.
The parent met with the stranger in Manor Park, east London, shortly before 4.40pm with a view to selling the Audi A5.
But the suspect leapt into the car and drove away from Nine Acres Close, with the girl named Maria Tudricai sitting in the front passenger seat, officers said.
The black car - registration number FY58UAZ - was found abandoned nearby in Hatherway Crescent without the child and a desperate hunt ensued.
Maria, originally from Romania, lives locally.
And detectives said the man who took the car was a slim Asian man, who was dressed in black clothing.
A police statement initially said: "At around 1637 on Sunday, January 6, the girl's father met with an unknown man in Nine Acres Close, E12, with a view to selling his car.
"The man jumped into the car and drove away. The seller's daughter, aged 17 months, was in the front passenger seat of the car when it was taken.
"She is Maria, a Romanian girl from the local area. She was wearing a white top and red bottoms.
"The car, a black Audi A5, registration number FY58UAZ was later found abandoned nearby in Hatherway Crescent, E12 without the child inside."
The police later updated the statement at 8pm, saying: "Delighted to report that missing child Maria Tudorica aged 17 months has now been found safe and well in the Ruskin Avenue, E12 area.
"Thanks to media and all members of the public who have helped with this appeal."
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