Louisville man faces kidnapping, theft charges after SUV stolen with 9-month-old inside

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville man is in custody after he allegedly stole a couple's SUV with their 9-month-old baby inside.

Louisville Metro Police officers arrested Brandon Conley, 34, late Wednesday afternoon. He is charged with kidnapping a minor and theft by unlawful taking - automobile.

According to an arrest citation, around 5:30 p.m. officers were notified of a Gold Chevy Trailblazer that was stolen from the area of South Brook Street and East Broadway with a 9-month-old child inside.

Officers located the couple at the scene. They told police they had left the vehicle running and walked far enough away where Conley was able to jump into it and drive off.

A few minutes after officers took the report, a call came in from Jewish Hospital stating a man had left an infant there. Police said Conley drove the vehicle to Jewish Hospital and dropped the infant off in the lobby, fleeing the scene shortly after.

Surveillance video shows the suspect getting inside the SUV before taking off.

Officers gathered more information on the vehicle's description and were able to locate it at West Jefferson Street and South 10th Street. They followed Conley for awhile before stopping the vehicle and arresting him at South 27th Street and West Muhammad Ali Boulevard.

LMPD said they later obtained footage of Conley putting the couple's 9-month-old on a couch at Jewish Hospital and leaving.

The child's mother -- who is not being identified -- told WDRB her daughter was sleeping in the SUV when they went inside a building to run a short errand before it was stolen. She said she knew better than to leave him alone, and the family has learned a hard lesson.

"That was the most scariest thing in my life," she said. "I didn't expect anything to happen, but it was a lesson learned, I can tell you that.

Conley is also facing additional charges separate from this incident, where he allegedly exposed himself to employees at a Louisville Public Library. A judge entered not guilty pleas on his behalf during his arraignment Thursday morning. A public defender was also appointed to the case, and bond was set at $250,000 full cash.

Conley's next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 5.

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