Boy, 12, left alone overnight inside east Columbus Target store

COLUMBUS (WCMH) – A 12-year-old boy was found inside of a Target store on the far east side of the city Monday morning after he had been reported missing Sunday.

According to Columbus police, a boy was found inside of the Target store in the East Broad area just north of Reynoldsburg at around 6:15 a.m. CPD reported that the boy was found by an employee at the 8000 East Broad Street location. He was unaccompanied in the store and believed to have been there since the previous night.

Police investigated how and why the child, who was initially reported to be younger than 12, was left alone in the store. A search was conducted around area stores in the hopes of finding a parent, but it was originally unsuccessful.

At 11:40 a.m. Columbus police reported that the child was reported missing by the parents on Sunday. They were notified of his whereabouts and are scheduled to pick him up today.

The child was then taken to Franklin County Children's Services while efforts to locate the family were underway. There were no reports on if the boy was injured and no charges will be filed, according to CPD.

A manager from the East Broad Street Target declined to comment on the incident though the store is open and operating as normal. A message was also left with the Target corporation, but it has not been returned.