Abduction charge against Ilias Latsis withdrawn, while act likely to cause harm charge proceeds

An alleged abduction charge laid against a man after the theft of a car with a baby inside at Klemzig has been dropped, with prosecutors instead alleging a new charge.

A man charged with stealing a car with a baby inside has had the charge dropped – but prosecutors will instead allege he left the infant at risk after dumping the car with the child still inside.

Ilias Sammy Latsis initially admitted he abducted the four-month-old at his first court appearance in May 2022, then won a bid earlier this year to have his plea to the abduction charge withdrawn.

He appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday where prosecutors formally withdraw the charge of abduction, which had been listed for a two-day trial next month.

“I also seek to withdraw the abduction charge … that’s due to now having an uncooperative witness,” the prosecutor said.

Instead, the prosecutor sought to continue with a charge of aggravated act likely to cause harm and asked the court for a 14 week adjournment to seek an expert medical report.

Ilias Sammy Latsis was arrested last May. Picture: ABC News

“They will need to seek some evidence in relation to the potential risk of harm to the baby whilst the baby was in the car for two and a half hours,” the prosecutor said.

Heidi Salvemini, for Mr Latsis, opposed the lengthy adjournment given her client had been in custody for almost 12 months since his arrest.

The incident had sparked a widespread search for the infant, who was found inside the car in the nearby suburb of Enfield later the same morning.

CCTV of the incident shows Mr Latsis approaching the car after the car’s owner, Erika Carter, ran into the deli while her infant was in the back seat. He is then seen getting into the car and taking off as Mr Carter runs after the car.

Previously, the court has heard Latsis was under the influence of drugs at the time of his alleged crime spree and first appearance in court.

He had told the court he had no memory of his first court appearance or instructing his then lawyer to plead guilty on his behalf.

In February, Magistrate Roderick Jensen granted Mr Latsis’ application to withdraw his plea but said he did not find him to be a convincing witness.

On Tuesday, Chief Magistrate Mary-Louise Hribal formally vacated the trial date for the abduction charge. She granted a 12-week adjournment for the preparation of a specialist paediatric report.

The case returns to court in August.