We are delighted to report that missing child Maria Tudorica aged 17months has now been found safe and well in the Ruskin Avenue, E12 area.

Maria Tudorica was sat in the front passenger seat of her father’s car in Newham, east London, when a man jumped into the vehicle and drove away.

The car was found abandoned less than a mile away in Hatherway Crescent a short time later, but Maria was not inside it.

The toddler was found several hours later at 7.50pm in nearby Ruskin Avenue, less than half a mile from where the car was found.

Maria was not inside the stolen car when it was found abandoned. Credit: Metropolitan Police

The child’s father had met with an unknown man in Nine Acres Close shortly after 4.35pm on Sunday with a view to selling the black Audi A5.

The man who took the car, with a registration number of FY58 UAZ, is described as an Asian man of slim build, dressed in black clothing.

Maria’s uncle Gheorghe Stelica celebrated the girl being found.

“God bless,” the 25-year-old car trader told the Press Association. “I feel born again.”

He continued: “I feel am a new guy.

“I feel over 1,000-times relief.

“(My brother) he’s happy. He thanks so much the police for their service.”

Police are still appealing for anyone with information on the incident to contact them on 101.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.