Missing 12-Year-Old Boy Spent the Night Alone in an Ohio Target

A 12-year-old boy was found alone in a Target store in Blacklick, Ohio, before it opened for business on Monday, March 11. The boy was found by employees who were readying the retail store for its morning opening.

Police received a call at 6:15 a.m. about a boy found inside the store located at 8100 E. Broad St. near the town of Reynoldsburg, according to 10WNBS. It was discovered that the boy, who remains unidentified because he is a juvenile, spent the night alone in the store.

Investigators later assessed that the child had run away from home. Police then worked to locate his parents.

Per the police department, the boy’s parents filed a missing persons report for their son the previous day. The boy was ultimately reunited with his family, and police do not anticipate filing charges against the boy’s parents.

It is unclear when the boy arrived at Target and how store employees did not find him upon the business closing for the evening.

Target told WCMH, “Our team immediately contacted law enforcement upon finding this child and cared for him until authorities arrived.”

The Columbus Dispatch received an emailed statement from Columbus police spokeswoman Jennifer Watson regarding the incident. She wrote, “The child’s parents are happy that he is safe and that he will be returning home shortly.”

The store subsequently opened after the incident. It operated as usual throughout the day. 

This event occurred just one week after Target announced its plans to reintroduce its Target Circle loyalty program. Target will continue offering its popular free-to-join membership with personalized deals, member-exclusive sales throughout the year, and additional perks and savings. 

Per a press release, Target will now apply deals automatically at checkout. No longer will consumers have to search for or add individual offers. Shoppers will be able to earn Target Circle Rewards and use personalized deals through Target Circle Bonuses.

Also available are the Target Circle Card and Target Circle 360, a new paid membership that includes unlimited free same-day delivery for orders over $35 in as little as an hour with no delivery fees or markups. Target Circle 360 will also give participating customers access to preferred shoppers who will personalize their experience.