A woman was back in court today to face a young girl who authorities say she drove to Mexico in a stolen car.
That little girl could be called a hero. We're concealing her identity for her safety.
"I told her get out of the car," she said.
Police told 10News her father left her and her 3-year-old brother in the back seat of his car while he went into a Lincoln Park beauty store back in April. The engine was on and the doors were unlocked. That's when police say 26-year-old Leslie Saenz got in an took off.
"My dad was chasing behind the car but she ran the red light," she said.
Police say his two young children were heading straight to Mexico with a total stranger.
"I started seeing signs that said Mexico border," said the girl. "I started banging on the window and she said 'stop it now before I drive into the freeway wall."'
Feeling threatened and helpless, the girl called 911. While she was on the phone with the dispatcher she says the woman threatened her again.
"The lady threatened to drive into the freeway wall again."
Agents at the border were tipped off about the stolen car and stopped them before it was too late. Saenz was taken into custody where two knives were found inside her bag. Fortunately, the two kids in the backseat were not hurt.
Saenz remains behind bars on no bail. She's due back in court on August 20th.
