A 12-year-old boy reported missing in Columbus, Ohio, after running away from home was found unattended but safe in a local Target store Monday.
An employee found the unidentified boy inside the Target at around 6:15 a.m. The child had been alone inside the store since its closure at 10 p.m. Sunday night, the Columbus Police told the Columbus Dispatch.
The employee then contacted the police.
“Our team in Reynoldsburg, Ohio immediately contacted law enforcement upon finding this child and cared for him until authorities arrived,” Target spokesperson Joe Unger told WSYX-TV.
The boy’s parents had filed a missing persons report for him Sunday and were able to pick him up from Franklin County Child Services.
“The child’s parents are happy that he is safe and that he will be returning home shortly,” police spokesperson Jennifer Watson told the Columbus Dispatch.
No charges are being filed against the parents, police told WCMH-TV.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.