Lost child in a store.

I went shopping (alone for once ) and was in Target. I was looking at clothing and could hear a kid crying, it was quite busy in the store. I looked over quickly and saw a little boy standing there crying, I assumed someone was with him but I couldn't see them. He kept crying and started calling for his mother.

I looked again and realised he was obviously lost. He was crying pretty loudly now and I kept my eye on him, waiting to see if his mother found him. After about 10 or 20 seconds, I realised that his mother wasn't around...a whole bunch of people were looking at him as they walked closer, I kept thinking 'That must be her!' but nope...they walked past.

So I went up and asked if he was okay and he told me he couldn't find his mama, I asked her name and what she looked like and said we should go to the service desk and they can call his mama over, or we might find her on the way there. We found her on the way, she was frantic and thanked me so much.

But honestly, it troubles me a little. The store was busy that day, and in the short amount of time between me realising he was lost and speaking to him, a whole bunch of people walked past and no one stopped. This child was really, really upset, alone in an aisle and calling out for his mama. If that was my child, I would hope someone nice stopped and helped. I am surprised no one did. There was even a worker not too far away, they must've heard him but they didn't do anything.

What would you do? Walk past or help?

I would have done what you did..wait a bit..then go help. (would have gone to the work associate as well since they have walkie talkies.)
I hate that situation..I got lost as a kid and the feeling of being alone and scared still makes my stomach turn. it really did traumatize me.

totally what you did. Down to the letter.

It really amazes me how oblivious people can be, or how unwilling to step in they are. I found a toddler, to young to speak walking by him self along a very busy street a few years back, 2 lanes to the east and 2 lanes to the west with a turning lane, its 45 MPH through there.
There were cars everywhere, and no one stopped. I went around the block when I noticed he didn't have an adult with him and came back, watched, for a few seconds and jumped out of the car to grab him. I had him for a full 15 minutes before his mom ( I assume It was his mom) DROVE up to us. She grabbed him, started yelling at him and didn't say a word to me. I was very nearly ready to call 911 just as she pulled up. I have no idea how far she came from. Didn't look familiar to me at all, and this was in my neighborhood.

Good for you for stepping in.

What you did, all the way. Once a mom, always a mom.

Exactly what you did.

I tell my kids if they are ever lost they are to look for a mom with kids to help them. Who else would drop everything and help?

Well done!!

And have done it before!

That breaks my heart. I would hope if that was one of my kiddos someone would have helped also. I most certainly would have. How terrible.

Never walk past!

Alway stop, pick up the child, and tell them we will find Mummy or Daddy. You can stand at the spot where you find the child and usually the parent turns up, or if the child can talk get her name and ask a Target associate to make an announcement that (whatever the child's name) is lost looking for his mother.

With so many child molesters out here, it is better to make sure that child is safe.

It takes all of us to protect our children!