A heartbreaking situation unfolded at a local Walmart when a 13-year-old boy was reportedly told by his father to steal, only to be abandoned when things went wrong.
What started as a routine shopping trip quickly took a disturbing turn, leaving police and the community shaken.
A Father’s Shocking Decision
According to Oklahoma City police, the man and his young son entered the Walmart on NW Expressway last Friday afternoon. Security cameras caught them walking through the store — just like any other father and son — but things changed quickly.
Investigators say the father used a box cutter to open packages, then handed items to his son, instructing him to hide them. The two tried to leave the store without paying. But when store security confronted them, the situation took a sharp, gut-wrenching turn: the father took off running, leaving his son behind in the shopping cart.
The boy was left alone, confused and scared, as his dad disappeared into the parking lot.
What Happened to the Boy?
Thankfully, Walmart employees and officers stepped in right away to make sure the teen was safe. Police say the boy was cooperative and visibly shaken by what had happened.
He’s now in the care of Oklahoma’s Department of Human Services. A pediatrician checked him out and confirmed he’s physically okay — but the emotional toll is another story.
The child reportedly told officers that he thought he and his dad were going to Walmart just to grab a few things, not to break the law. He didn’t seem to fully understand what was happening until it was too late.
Who Is the Father?
At the time of reporting, police are still trying to track down the man responsible.
Surveillance footage described the suspect as a bald Black male in his late 20s or early 30s, around 6 feet tall, wearing a blue shirt, jeans, and a noticeable chain necklace. He was last seen leaving the Walmart through the garden center exit.
Authorities have released still images from the security footage and are asking anyone who might recognize him to come forward.
Not the First Time
As shocking as this case is, it’s sadly not the first time a child has been put in this kind of situation.
In a similar case from 2023, a Mississippi couple allegedly used their 9-year-old son to try and steal nearly $1,500 worth of items from Walmart. And back in 2018, a New Jersey man fled from police after shoplifting, causing a car crash that tragically killed his 2-year-old son.
It’s stories like these that remind us how vulnerable kids are when adults fail them — and how important it is for communities to support at-risk families before things reach a breaking point.
The Community Reacts
News of the Oklahoma City incident spread quickly, and it’s hit home for a lot of people.
“I can’t imagine being that child — thinking your parent has your back, only to be left behind like that,” said local resident Michelle Grant. “It’s just heartbreaking.”
Others in the community are calling for stronger laws around child endangerment and more resources for families struggling with poverty, addiction, or mental health issues — often the root causes of these kinds of crimes.
What Happens Next?
Right now, the focus is on finding the father and making sure the boy gets the care he needs. Police are still reviewing security footage, interviewing witnesses, and asking the public to share any tips.
If caught, the father could face serious charges — not just for theft, but for abandoning a minor and putting his child in harm’s way.
Final Thoughts
This story isn’t just about a crime — it’s about trust, family, and how a young boy was caught in the middle of something he never should have been part of. The hope now is that justice is served, and that this child can begin to heal from a moment that no kid should ever have to go through.
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