On March 20, 2018, during the very early hours of the day, an opportunist burglar engaged in his usual act of crime when he decided not to just take what was in the car but to rescue the 5½-month-old baby he found there while on duty at a gas station in West Palm Beach.
Automobile theft involving “key running” is prevalent in Florida because of the tropical climate. This case stood out because of the unintended involvement of a sleeping baby and the suspect’s subsequent actions.
Around 3:24–4 a.m., 23-year-old Marquise Sharkear Hudson pulled up to the RaceWay gas station at Wallis and Haverhill roads in West Palm Beach in a white SUV. He briefly entered the store, then drove off in a black Kia Rio that had been left running with the keys inside. A 5½-month-old baby was asleep in a car seat in the back.
The baby’s father was quickly aware that both the baby and his car were missing. Hudson traveled for about 6 to 7 miles to reach a Sunoco gas station located at State Road 7 & Okeechobee Blvd., Royal Palm Beach. Surveillance video captured him struggling to remove the car seat before banging on the locked door.
Michelle Ashby, the clerk, recalled the incident:
“Because the doors were locked, he ran over and banged on the door really hard….He said, ‘Take this baby, take this baby!”’
The baby was undamaged but had been sleeping most of the time during the ordeal, and she called 911. The baby’s mother arrived around 30 minutes later.” Hudson fled, abandoning the Kia nearby.
PBSO released surveillance footage. Hudson’s mother contacted investigators, citing his erratic behavior, and identified him. PBSO publicly noted her role, tweeting:
“Hey Marquise Hudson, thanks to your mom we have you in custody for Grand Theft Auto & Kidnapping after you carjacked a KIA with a baby inside. #BUSTED.”
Hudson faced charges of kidnapping, grand theft auto, and burglary of a conveyance. Bond was denied by Judge Ted Booras. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with credit for approximately 120 days served.
The case sparked debate over the parent leaving a running vehicle unattended with a child at 3–4 a.m., though the father faced no charges. Hudson’s mother was widely praised for prioritizing safety and accountability. Some questioned the kidnapping charge given his actions to protect the child, but prosecutors applied the law based on the unlawful taking.
