Reunited! Baby back in mother's arms after terrifying car-jacking

A baby girl was back in her mother's arms today after the family's car was stolen with the four-week-old still inside.

Clare O'Neill was recovering in hospital with her baby Eliza safely back at her side after their shocking ordeal.

Police were mounting a major manhunt to trace two men behind the terrifying car-jacking in Birmingham.

Clare arrived home on Thursday afternoon only to be confronted by two thugs who demanded the keys to her car.

As she frantically tried to get her daughter out of the Audi, the thieves drove off with Eliza still in her car seat.

They left Mrs O’Neill injured in the street just yards from her own front door.

A major police search got under way with officers taking to social media in a frantic push to find the car.

Thousands of people shared news of the search on Twitter and Facebook in efforts to help the investigation.

West Midlands Police Chief Constable Dave Thompson tweeted moments after the reunion was revealed: "Great we have re-united mum and baby.

"If you know the idiots who did it let us know."

Thankfully, the baby was found by an ambulance crew at a health centre in Small Heath after she had been left there in her car seat, blissfully unaware of the drama.

Baby Eliza was reunited with her mother a short time later in hospital after the 45-minute ordeal.

At the family home in Marie Drive on Friday, banners stating “It’s a girl” were up in the windows of the end terrace home, until a female neighbour came to take them down.

The neighbour declined to comment to reporters, although another said she had spoken with Mrs O’Neill overnight in hospital adding she was recovering.

Another, Claudia Gardner – who was moved to come and bring flowers and baby clothes to the house – said: “When it’s so close to your house, it’s shocking.

“I’m just so glad they’re back together.”

The 43-year-old teacher, of Olton Boulevard East, Birmingham, added: “I’ve been told she will probably not be home until tonight at the earliest because they drove over her arm and dragged her along the road.”

West Midlands Police released an image of Clare and Eliza recovering in hospital.

Clare is shown to have suffered cuts and grazes to her face. She also sustained leg injuries.

Police iterated their appeal to trace the thugs behind the car-jacking and the missing Audi.

The car-jacking took place outside the home, in Marie Drive, Acocks Green, at around 4pm on Thursday.

The car is a grey Audi A3 S line with the registration number BJ66 YLV.

Detective Inspector Jim Munro, from force CID, said: "This incident has shocked the whole of our force area and we will leave no stone unturned in our search for the offenders

"We have a team of officers trawling through CCTV and speaking to residents in Marie Drive, as well as fast-tracking forensic analysis of the baby seat.

"We are delighted that mother and baby have been re-united and we wish Clare a speedy recovery."

Anyone with information should call Stechford Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.