The 3-year-old girl who was abandoned at The Grove this past Saturday was reunited with her family and is in “a safe home” Sunday, according to officials.

The 3-year-old girl was located at The Grove’s valet parking facility. (photo by Luis Rivas)

The girl, identified as Audrey, was dropped off with a car seat by a woman said to be her relative at The Grove’s valet parking lot on Saturday at approximately 6 p.m. But she, nor any other relative, ever returned for her.

The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is investigating, according to LAPD officials.

Neil Zanville, a public affairs spokesman for DCFS said their department is prohibited by law to say that they are investigating a case.

“But what I will tell you is that when a child is abandoned, we will investigate. We will talk with the parents, caregivers and children if they are old enough to speak. We will investigate to find out if it was a simple miscommunication or if it was indicative of a pattern of neglect,” he said.

If it is determined that it was neglect, DCFS protocol calls for the removal of the child from the home and from their parents. The child, then, is relocated to a safer home—first choice is with a relative if there is no history of crime or child abuse, according to Zanville.

After 72 hours of removing the child, DFCS goes to court where a presiding judge decides whether or not the child can be returned to the parents or legal guardians or if he/she should go to a safer home.

“All I can say about the little girl left at The Grove, is that she is in a safe home, but I’m not allowed to tell you where that may be,” he said.

Zanville encourages parents and guardians to keep an eye on their children during the holiday season, especially in high-trafficked areas such as malls or shopping centers.

“Parents may lose sight of their children in the excitement of the holiday seasons. They can get lost. Sometimes law enforcement or the public notify us,” Zanville said.

Despite the public and media attention that has been given to Audrey, incidents similar to the apparent child abandonment are not common, according to Zanville.

“It’s not that common. There has been only one or two cases within the last year,” he said.

Cases where a child is left unattended in apparent abandonment in shopping centers may happen, but if it happens on the streets that is cause for serious concern, Zanville said.

Representatives from The Grove’s parking operations and guest services declined to comment.

The public can call the Department of Children and Family Services at (800)540-4000 if there is reason to suspect that a child has been left unattended for a long period of time.