Police are investigating reports of a man allegedly stealing a vehicle outside a store shortly after midday on Friday.
The incident occurred just after the mother had exited the vehicle. Police have since arrested one person and search efforts remain ongoing to locate the man.
CCTV footage uploaded to social media appears to show the person who stole the car dumping the infant on a grass verge. The car was then driven all over Taranaki in the weekend. It was found abandoned in New Plymouth early yesterday morning.
Waitara Community Board member Jane Parker-Bishop said the "little tight-knit community" of Waitara were shocked and concerned following the incident.
"When something like this happens in our community it does really rock us, especially when we have a little pēpi (baby) involved."
"We've got that really strong value of community, it's almost a shared responsibility for our vulnerable, like our pēpi, our tamariki, our rangitahi, so initially that's where that shock comes from, right? Because you're like 'who can do this?'
"There's certainly concern, particularly in our community. I think given that it happened in the middle of the day, so that's quite brazen."
Parker-Bishop said the community was shaken, and over the weekend the incident has been part of "every single conversation".
"The mood is, like we say, one of real concern for the mama, the pēpi and the people involved. It just shakes you as a community because you just don't expect it to happen.
"I think those feelings of shock and helplessness, and a real need or desire to support that whānau at the moment."
She said the family are working through the "traumatic event" and the community is there to support them however they need.
"For us as a community, we're here when you need us. You get what you need in our community in Waitara anyway, so as soon as they need us, we'll be there with bells on."
Parker-Bishop said the area is starting to attract younger families due to the sense of "a knitted community".
"When it's time, when they're ready to receive some help from us, we're all there.
"To be in Waitara, and to come from Waitara, is a privilege because we have those strong values of community."
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