[drlowz]

(LOUISVILLE, August 22nd, 2001, 11 p.m.) -- A Louisville family experienced some frightening moments early Wednesday evening after a man left his 3-year-old grandson in the car while he went into the Parrot Brock Cleaners on Preston Highway. When he came out a few minutes later, both the car and his grandson were gone.

The ordeal began around 6 p.m. Wednesday. Since Michael Gene Mathies knew he would be inside the cleaners for only a matter of minutes, he left Trey unattended in the backseat of the unlocked 1998 Gray Hyundai. The motor was running.

When police arrived on the scene, other family members were already there, praying for the child's safe return.

"In the name of Jesus, please take the car -- we will buy you another one -- just bring me my nephew back, please, in the name of Jesus," said a distraught Kat Mathies.

An hour later, those prayers were answered. Word came that the little boy had been found.

"Our dispatchers were able to make contact with the person who had stolen the car. He informed us that he had dropped the child off at the McDonald's in Georgetown, Indiana," said Jefferson County Police Spokesman Robert Bivens.

Twenty miles away, employees and customers at the McDonald's in Georgetown near I-64 knew something was wrong the minute the carjacker walked into the restaurant with the child. Michael Lucas Jr. and his father were at the McDonald's when the pair arrived.

Michael's father said they saw a man walk in with a child, then walk out alone. "He was scared," said the elder Lucas. "He didn't say anything."

Then Michael Jr. went into the restroom and found the three-year-old locked in a stall. "I heard somebody crying in the bathroom, so I went into the bathroom and there he was stuck in the stall and couldn't get out."

Floyd County Sheriff's Deputies took the child into custody while awaiting arrival of the Jefferson County Police Officers. After a Happy Meal, Trey was taken to Kosair Children's Hospital, where the doctors said he was fine and released him to his family.

Police are still looking for the stolen car. It is a 4-door 1998 Gray Hyundai with license plates 2-6-9-E-J-V.

Police haven't said whether or not charges will be filed against the grandfather, but police say the case should serve as a stern reminder to adults to never leave children unattended in a car, especially one with the engine running.

Online Reporter: Carolyn Gaeta