A missing 12-year-old boy was discovered trapped inside an Ohio Target, where he had been left alone overnight.
The young boy was reported missing in Columbus on Sunday morning and discovered inside the east side Target by a staff member shortly after 6 a.m. Monday, according to WCMH.
“Our team immediately contacted law enforcement upon finding this child and cared for him until authorities arrived,” the company said in a statement.
It was unclear how long the youngster had been there, but officials informed the Columbus Dispatch that it had been at least since 10 p.m. the night before, eight hours before he was discovered.
“How did they not find him last night when they were trying to close the store?” one unidentified shopper questioned ABC 6 about the “crazy” circumstance.
The youngster, who was presumed to have run away, was being reunited with his parents, who “are happy that he is safe and that he will be returning home shortly,” Columbus police spokeswoman Jennifer Watson told the Columbus Dispatch.
There were no reports of the youngster being hurt, and the store reopened as usual following the rescue.
The police indicated no charges would be brought.
