BLACKLICK, Ohio — A 12-year-old boy was found alone inside a Target store in Blacklick before it opened Monday morning, according to the Columbus Division of Police.
Police said they received a call about 6:15 a.m. about the boy being found inside the store located at 8100 East Broad Street near Reynoldsburg. Investigators added that the boy spent the night inside the store by himself. Authorities believe that the boy had ran away from home.
Dispatchers initially told 10TV that the boy was 7 years old, but later updated that he is 12 years old.
A Target employee found the boy as they were getting ready for the store's 8 a.m. opening, police said. Target released a statement saying the store "contacted law enforcement upon finding this child and cared for him until authorities arrived.”
The 12-year-old was taken to Franklin County Children Services while police worked to locate his parents.
According to a CPD spokesperson, the boy's parents filed a missing persons report on Sunday.
Investigators said the parents were notified of their son's location. Franklin County Children Services said the boy was reunited with his family.
At this time, it's unclear when the boy arrived at Target and how he went undetected before the store closing.
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