The 17-month-old has since been found safe and well but investigators are looking for the man who took the car.
He is described as an Asian male of slim build and he was wearing black clothing.
So far no arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.
The girl’s father had met with the unknown man to try and sell a car at around 4.37pm yesterday in Nine Acres Close, Manor Park.
His 17-month-old daughter was sitting in the passenger seat when the suspect took the car away.
They found the vehicle, a black Audi A5, abandoned in Hathaway Crescent but the toddler wasn’t inside.
Three hours after she went missing, a member of the public found her in the street in nearby Ruskin Avenue at around 7.49pm.
She had been wearing a white top and red trousers when she went missing but was found wearing extra clothes.
Officers believe either the suspect put them on before abandoning her or that a member of the public dressed her due to the cold but didn’t want to contact police.
They are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and wish to reassure anyone who may have helped the child that they are not in trouble.
Police also want to know where the car was for the 80 minutes after it was stolen.
Anyone with information about her disappearance should contact police on 101 quoting reference 4480/6Jan.
Tags: Newham, Manor Park
