Lost and found DS today in store - ?

[Picturesque]

Today DH and I took DS to Sears to have his photo made. Even though we had an appointment we had to wait a long time for our session. During this time I asked DH to keep an eye on DS and started browsing through the kids clothes near the photo area. A few minutes later, DH came over to me and asked if I knew where DS was. I said that he should be with him. DH said that DS had seen me and that DH had thought he'd made eye contact with me a few minutes earlier and that I'd taken responsibility for DS. As soon as I realized we couldn't find him I started to absolutely panic. DH kept looking for him while I ran straight to the nearest customer service station and demanded that they close all the store's doors and make and announcement. I *knew* to do this b/c of reading a thread about a missing child here on MDC before. Anyway, the staff looked at me like I was crazy and just mumbled about how if I wanted they could make an announcement to tell him his mother was looking for him but they couldn't close the doors. I said that he's not even two and making an announcement to him wouldn't make any difference. Just then DH called for me and had DS - found him in a dressing room. I cried and shook for several minutes following this. I'm relieved that everything turned out ok, but very disappointed in the staff's response. Is there a standard protocol that stores are supposed to follow? Was I wrong to expect the store to take basic action to prevent a kidnapping? Am I justified in writing the store or corporate office? Advice? Thanks.

[pauletoy]

I don't have any answers for you but wanted to say I am so happy your little one is safe and sound in your arms again.

[Hey Mama!]

I would think most stores would have a code Adam or something similar. I used to work at Target and I think a code yellow was a missing child. They most certainly would have shut the door and had security guards and other staff members combing the store for the child. Thankfully it never had to happen the short time I worked there. That's so ood that they acted like that. I'm so glad you guys found your son!

[Porcelain Interior]

Code Adam started in WAlMART in memory of Adam Walsh the son of the host of America's Most Wanted John Walsh.

Ironic that Sears (the very department store Adam Walsh was abducted from) doesn't participate in Code Adam.

Shameful honestly.

Glad you found your son and shame on Sears, perhaps we should write letters?

[Picturesque]

I would love for anyone so inclined to write a letter. I just emailed the following to the online customer service center (the only address I could find on the website):

Today, my husband and I took our 23 month old son to our local Sears Portrait Studio (Lynchburg, VA). While waiting for our session, I asked my husband to watch our child while I browsed the nearby racks of children's clothes. Due to a misunderstanding, my husband thought that I had later assumed responsibility for our child and a few minutes later we realized that neither of us knew where he was. Panicked, I ran to the nearest customer service station and requested that the doors to the store be closed and an announcement made, in accordance with Code Adam. The staff were very slow to respond, telling me that it was not possible for them to secure the doors and that they would have to check with management to see about making an announcement over the intercom letting my son know that his parents were looking for him. Obviously, this would not be very helpful for a child less than two years old. A moment later my husband came to me with our son who had been in the nearby dressing room. We were very relieved that we found him quickly, but very disappointed in the response from the staff. Code Adam is named for Adam Walsh who, in 1981, was abducted from a Sears store and later found murdered. It would seem that Sears would have an even greater than average interest in making sure policies like Code Adam are in place in all stores to prevent this sort of disaster from taking place. Please consider implementing such policies to protect the children who visit your stores.

[Belia]

I'm so sorry that you went through that. What a horrible experience.

I really liked your email. I would add something about wanting a response. I would also CC the local store where this happened.

[Picturesque]

Originally Posted by Belia

I'm so sorry that you went through that. What a horrible experience.

I really liked your email. I would add something about wanting a response. I would also CC the local store where this happened.

Thanks. I plan to contact the local store. I tried to call tonight to speak with a manager, but I waited too late and the store closes early on Sundays. I'll try again this week.

[Sailor]

I used to work in several retail stores ... and, while, technically, this is supposed to be part of their policy - very few stores will enforce it. Especially during a holiday rush.

Mainly because closing all the doors, having most of the staff search for a kid would inconvenience all the other customers. Potentially costing the store money.

Statistically speaking, it is a very low probability that a child will be taken from a store in such a situation. There's a higher probability that the store will lose more money from those customers who are inconvenienced.

Also, all the stores I worked at had a clear policy - parents are responsible for their kids, and if something happens to that kid, it is the parent's responsibility. They even had signs up near entrance doors "Do not leave kids unattended. Parents are responsible for their child."

So, even a lawsuit with a store would not get you very far. Even IF you never found the child. This is why it does not surprise me that Sears would not enforce the rule. Think about it - the Adam Walsh case was ONE incident out of all the YEARS that Sears has been around and ALL the kids that get lost in said stores. When I worked in retail, we had at least one customer lose a kid - DAILY.

So, it is rare, statistically for a situation like Adam Waslh to happen. Hence stores very rarely close all the doors or do anything of that nature.

Now, I'm NOT saying I agree with this policy.

I'm just telling you what I was told when working in various stores.

Personally, I once lost my 3 year old cousin in Walmart. I didn't even bother telling anyone - just fanned out with my partner and we searched ourselves till we found her.

I'm sure it's a different feeling with your own kid, though.

[Tilia]

Having worked at Wal-Mart through college, I have been through a few Code Adams. At Wal-Mart we took it very seriously. Every employee had to look for the child. I worked in the clothing section, and it was a popular hiding place if you can imagine.

I am sorry you were treated that way at Sears. I did not know they didn't participate in Code Adam. It is really sad.

[TiffanyPartyOf6]

I would be ticked as well! I lost my daughter in our hotel at Disney once. We were staying at the Polynesian and my husband and I got off the elevator with our 5y/o and 3y/o walking and our 2y/o and baby in the stroller. We turned a corner and our 3y/o was missing. We panicked. A Disney "cast member" saw us frantic and called on his radio to close the doors and station someone at each door, but before he could spit it out, we looked around the other corner and there she was sitting on the stairs watching people LOL - She just turned the wrong way and since she couldn't see us, she just sat down and watched LOL. I was glad to know that Disney will shut it down to save kids lives. ;-)

I found out later that if you lose a child in a park, they will stop people from exiting the park until that child is found - or at least thats what they say. I hope to never find out LOL

[AbbieB]

At the very least I would think a department store would notify security and man the exists. I can't believe how casually they reacted.

[Mama Mko]

I worked at Kmart as a teenager and we also did Code Adam. I'm glad you found your son without incident. I hope they reply to your email.

[Sierra]

Originally Posted by Sailor

Statistically speaking, it is a very low probability that a child will be taken from a store in such a situation.

On the other hand, a kid could also run out in the parking lot and become even more lost, or get hit by a car as well.

[medaroge]

So glad your son is ok, I am going to write a letter to the national Sears and also call our local one.

[Picturesque]

I got an email from a customer service rep yesterday who apologized "on behalf of Sears" but didn't say what the store should have done differently. She did, however, say that she was going to forward my "observations" on to the management team, whatever that means. I'll let you know if I hear anything further. Thanks to those who are also writing in about this issue.

[talk de jour]

You may want to know that those "customer service stations" are all just regular cashiers who are about 16 years old and don't. have. a. clue. I was one of those about 3 years ago at Sears -- I can't imagine having an idea of where to start with that. All I would have been able to do was page my manager -- I didn't even have a walkie-talkie, a key to the door, anything.

I would have done everything in my power to help you -- but there wouldn't have been much in my power, kwim?

[MrsAprilMay]

Originally Posted by rebeccajo

I worked at Kmart as a teenager and we also did Code Adam. I'm glad you found your son without incident. I hope they reply to your email.

Yes. When I worked at Kmart in high school I had to call a Code Adam once. That little one was in the dressing room, too.

If you don't hear back or get anywhere with the manager, are you thinking about going to the media?

[Lemon Juice]

Originally Posted by Sierra

On the other hand, a kid could also run out in the parking lot and become even more lost, or get hit by a car as well.

This is what my dd (2.5) did this summer. Dp was watching her and w/ the other children distracting him she ran off and was gone, fast! We ran around looking in a panic and someone from the parking lot brought her in as we were talking to some staff. It was horrible for those few mins but luckily someone saw her and had a wonderful heart in them and brought her in and all was well. We figured she was looking for our car thinking maybe we left the store already or were out there.


Cashew Mommy I am so glad that your son was found safe and sound. It is scary and I hope that with this info Sears will at least take the Code Adam seriously and think about implementing it in their stores and your local one as well.

[bwylde]

When I worked at Zellers, we did the Code Adam many times. When it wasnt' possible to fully close the entrances, we stationed people at them to moniter who was coming in and out so the child could not leave without our knowing and to not inconvenience the customers (if a description of the child was given). I've even had to have it called for DS at least once that I can remember as he was always running off and I know I was very grateful.

[Cherie2]

I thought your letter was wonderful! I even teared up a bit

I lost dd in a vegas hotel once.. dh left her in the room alone (she told him she didn't want to go with him and soon changed her mind) he was only gone 5 minutes but she got spooked and left... luckily she found a security guard and was with him when we discovered she was gone.. she was only 3 ... it was so terrifying ... to this day I still can not believe he left her!! He never did anything like that again...