A 13-month-old baby died when a female carjacker stole the car he was strapped into and then crashed it in a fireball.

Mum Donnecia Brianna Rene Thomas had left her son Zarion strapped into his baby seat with the engine running while she dashed into her home to grab something.

When she came back moments later, the car and her baby had gone from the street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 27th January.

But after just two miles, the 31-year-old thief crashed into another car and both vehicles burst into flames.

When paramedics arrived on the scene, they found little Zarion Robinson crying while still partly strapped in to his overturned car seat.

After a heroic rescue, he was taken to hospital but died by his mother’s side early on 28th January – the day he turned 13 months old.

The car thief was also taken to hospital under arrest, while police seized a nearly-empty bottle of brandy from the mangled vehicle.

Police are now searching for the occupants of the other car, who fled immediately following the crash.

A vigil was held at the crash site on 31st January to remember Zarion.

Grieving granddad Donnie Thomas said: “He happy, very happy. I mean he bring us joy. He bring like light to the family.”

The suspect had not been formally charged at the time of reporting.

Donnie told local media: “At the end of the day, you know, we all make mistakes, but this wasn’t no mistake right here.”