A mother was dragged from her SUV while her 3-year-old daughter was carjacked by Willio Petioma on June 26 in Broward County; the child was later found abandoned but unharmed.

The incident unfolded after a minor car accident in which the mother exited her vehicle to exchange information, only to have Petioma seize the opportunity to steal the SUV with the child still inside. Despite the mother's desperate attempts to stop him, including clinging to the SUV's door, Petioma sped off, eventually abandoning the child by the roadside. Good Samaritans found the child unharmed, leading to a rapid police investigation that culminated in Petioma's arrest four days later. Petioma now faces multiple charges, including kidnapping and carjacking.

According to reports, the carjacking occurred around 8:30 a.m. on June 26, 2024. The mother and her 3-year-old daughter were initially involved in a minor car accident. As the mother exited her vehicle to exchange insurance information with the other driver, Petioma seized the opportunity to jump into the driver's seat of the SUV.

The mother quickly noticed the carjacker and attempted to intervene. She clung desperately to the passenger-side door and screamed that her daughter was inside the vehicle. Despite her efforts, Petioma managed to drive away, dragging the mother along the road for a short distance until she lost her grip and fell.

Surveillance cameras documented the chilling scene as Petioma sped off with the child in the backseat. The footage later captured the moment Petioma decided to abandon the child at the roadside. He left the toddler strapped into her car seat before fleeing the scene. Fortunately, the girl remained unharmed during this ordeal.

Good Samaritans stumbled upon the abandoned child and immediately came to her assistance. They contacted the authorities, ensuring that the girl was safe. This swift action played a critical role in the subsequent police investigation.

Using the victim's credit card, Petioma made a purchase at a local Family Dollar store, where he was captured on surveillance video. The footage provided essential clues that helped law enforcement officers in their quest to identify and locate him.

An anonymous tip was crucial in identifying Petioma. Following this lead, law enforcement officers were able to confirm his identity and subsequently apprehended him on June 30, 2024. He was taken into custody and booked into the Broward County Sheriff's Office Main Jail.

Petioma faces a slew of charges following the incident. These include kidnapping, carjacking, interfering with the custody of a minor, and the illegal use of a credit card. Additionally, it was revealed that he had an outstanding warrant for possession of cocaine and resisting an officer in neighbouring Palm Beach County.

The incident has raised serious concerns about public safety and the challenges officials face in dealing with such brazen crimes. The sequence of events leading to the recovery of the child highlights the complexity and unpredictability of such cases.