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Original poster

Child went missing in 99p store

248 replies

PassionateaboutParenting · 04/01/2013 18:01

My 2 year old son went missing in a 99p store on the High street in Leytonstone. I turned to pay for the items I bought and my son disappeared within those seconds.I called for my son and looked through the isles for him, my 6&4 year olds were with me. I asked the security guard to shut the door, he refused. Instead he told me that I should hold my child's hand.

The last thind I needed in my sheer panic at the thought of having lost my son was to be judged so harshly. None of the staff tried to assist me and just proceeded as usual, and it took another customer to search for my child and bring him to me.
People were awful either pretending not to notice or otherwise passing nasty remarks. I want to start a campaign to create a child safe scheme in my area. Has anyone else done this?
I have complained to the 99p store bit not sure if they will respond. Has anyone heard of the Code Adam in the USA?

OP posts:
skratta · 04/01/2013 18:52

I remember being in a large IKEA, and a child got lost. They made sure only adults got out, or accompanied children, and they had staff helping.

They amde an announcement- something like 'Unfortunately, a small child has got lost in the store. If you see an unaccompanied blonde boy, who appears to be between the ages of two and three, or similar, with a blue and white striped top (I can't remember the actual colours, I know it was striped for some reason, but made up the colours), please contact security' It was, for losing children, a long time- I think it was roughly twenty minutes, but it must have seemed to be hours for the child's mother. Someone discovered him under a sofa! It was quite a high up sofa, and he was flat underneath with a small toy turtle he'd been holding when he ran off!

Every toddler or child must wonder off at least some point- even if it was for a few seconds and the parent noticed and dived at them or something.

Booyhoo · 04/01/2013 18:53

wow! i am shocked that they didn't shut teh door straight away! why on earth not? if for no other reason than their name would be all over the paper if the child wnet missing from their store and they'd done nothing!

AmberLeaf · 04/01/2013 18:54

Really scary and the security guards response was rude and unhelpful.

I do however recommend you buy some wrist reins.

I used them with my youngest as he was a bolter.

amillionyears · 04/01/2013 18:54

I lost one of my sons like you did, in a theme park place.
And there were nine adults, and 4 or 5 children between us.
I think that was our problem.
We all thought he was with one of the other adults.

The theme park place were getting geared up to shut the place down. We found him about 5 minutes later, after we all spread out and looked for him.
It is an awful feeling.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 04/01/2013 18:55

We 'lost' my DD in a maze at LegoLand when she was about 5yo.
Not the same situation as a shop- they can have a bit more freedom, but she was with DS who slipped through the hedge.
We went round and round, climbed up the 'tower'.
We couldn't shout because the music was so flipping loud.
I went out to get a member of staff to put the music off (thinking-she won't have left with anyone, she knows not to)
She was sitting outside with a girl a bit older than her. She'd found an older child to ask (her parents were with her) but stayed at the maze enterance.

I was so relieved. I know how you felt at that moment Passionate. The world just stops Shock

MissyMooandherBeaverofSteel · 04/01/2013 18:57

RyleDup I would definitely recommend them. I couldn't hear it from 6 aisles away but I can hear much further if we are outdoors in the park or something (I have tested extensively Grin ).

bamboobutton · 04/01/2013 18:57

What a stupid comment, fredfredgoerge. Should the police tell parents 'tough shit' if they report a child missing? Should the firebrigade tell people to bog off if their house catches fire? Should the ambulances tell people to get stuffed if the have a crash?

glad everything turned out well, OP.

TinyDancingHoofer · 04/01/2013 18:59

I don't think shops are allowed to lock doors with people inside. But he should have said he would watch the door for you.

Frostyfoxy · 04/01/2013 19:00

I lost my ds just before Christmas in Tesco's. He is 7 and has autism. He is just starting to show some independence and he wanted to get some chocolate mousse. I took my eye off the ball (I know, I know) and he was gone.

But the staff in the shop were brilliant! No sooner had I reported him missing, they closed the shop - no-one could leave and had a team looking for him withinin seconds. They found him within a couple of minutes but his autism made it impossible for them to talk to him or bring him to me so they called me at the security desk to come to them - however when the manager and I got to where they said they were there was no-one there!! My ds had run away and the security team just followed him wherever he went and I had to follow them!!

I have nothing but praise for the Tesco team. And I will NOT make that mistake again!!

SaraBellumHertz · 04/01/2013 19:01

fredfredGeorge that is one if the shittiest posts I've read on MN and god kind there have been a few recently

A parent not "entitled" to help?! FFS what about the poor terrified child.

Maryz · 04/01/2013 19:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JustFabulous · 04/01/2013 19:03

I lost my son in ToysRUs, I told a staff member. He ignored me and walked off.

I helped a grandma look for and found her grandson in the same shop. I was in tears when we found him. No way would I left her to look alone for him once I knew he was missing. Staff not interested when I told them.

pigletmania · 04/01/2013 19:04

Fredfredgerge you highlight all that is wrong with society today. Yes op could have been more careful but when something like that happens t everyone's responsibility to help. Shame on you!

JustFabulous · 04/01/2013 19:05

When my 5 year old missed daddy go into the shop I was waiting in with DS1 and DD the staff were immediately on the ball and realised what had happened and looked after them both while DH and I searched the shopping centre for DS2. I was yelling his name and not a single person stopped to help. I just got a lot of Hmm looks.

milf90 · 04/01/2013 19:06

i will suggest reigns too, they are a life saver! i have 2 backpack style ones, ones a dinosaur and the other batman wings. the kids love them :D the batman ones were only a couple of quid off ebay too. have a look x

Nuttyprofessor · 04/01/2013 19:06

That is awful. I have been in charge of health and safety policies in many stores and it is usual to have a lost child policy, which involves covering all exits, not alllowing anyone to leave, allerting all staff, a search plan starting with areas of danger and time limits on contacting police.

I would contact their head office and ask what their procedures are.

I would use reins.

Glad he was ok

amillionyears · 04/01/2013 19:07

Fredfredgeorge seems to have been reasonable and helpful on other threads as far as I can see.
So know idea why he/she said what they said.
Ironically some of the help was about weaning babies.
I didnt know help for other peoples little kids should stop at 2 years old.

FlipFlopFloss · 04/01/2013 19:07

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

SoupDragon · 04/01/2013 19:08

Have these bloody b*s never heard of poor little Adam West in the USA???

Why should they have heard of him? I haven't.
I lost DD (6) in the shop at the Paralympics. Security were fabulous and looked for her both on the shop floor and via CCTV and watched at the doors. It was their policy not to announce it over the PA system for children under 12. There was no way they could have shut the doors TBH.

socharlotte · 04/01/2013 19:10

When DS1 was about 2.5 we lost him [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/hollywood-studios/attractions/honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-movie-set-adventure/ in this 'honey i shrunk the kids' tplayground at Disney studio
He just ran behind some thiong, I was only a few yards behind him, but he was gone! The staff said they would watch the entrance and it seemedlike an eternity til I saw a dad with him on his hip helping him looking for us.
The first time it happens it is the worst feeling ever.After several children it has inevitably happened a few more times and you don't worry as much.But the first time the panic is overwelming and the rest of your life without them flashes before your eyes!

directoroflegacy · 04/01/2013 19:10

This happened in an Asda - security manned the entrance/exit at the front- checking people who were leaving and they also had somebody at a smaller door at the back.
Then staff 'swept' thru the store in a line so child couldn't be missed and continuous announcements over the tannoy giving a description.
Was v impressed by this - they must practise??
Happy ending too!!!!

TheNebulousBoojum · 04/01/2013 19:10

FredFredGeorge, are you still a bloke with a DD of around 16 months?
Have you lost her yet? Has she had a serious accident or an illness yet?
All these things are potentially waiting for you and your family in the future, and there will be a time when you stand there, frozen and disbelieving and relying on the kindness of strangers. And you won't feel smug or complacent. You will be terrified.

Original poster
PassionateaboutParenting · 04/01/2013 19:10

True that... parenting comes with many heart-stopping moments....

OP posts:
Mrsrudolphduvall · 04/01/2013 19:11

It's an awful feeling.
We lost ds in a motorway service station when he was about 4.
Worst moment of my life.

I was hoping fredfredgeorge was a first time poster but sadly not.

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