POST FALLS, Idaho (kirotv.com) — Post Falls Police Chief Scott Haug said that in his 30-years in law enforcement he's never seen an arrest warrant for a nine year old.
According to KHQ, a boy was recently accused of stealing a pack of gum, but when when he failed to appear in court, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Haug told KHQ that the elementary school student failed to show up to two appearances because he couldn't drive himself, and relatives had no way of getting him there.
"Had we known that before the court date, we would have provided something for the family," Haug told KHQ. "I wish we would have had more information, that way we could have provided some sort of assistance."
While Haug said retailers will often press charges for shoplifting, even when it's for something as small as a pack of gum, it's less common for the incident to build to "this level" for someone so young.
The boy is now being held in a juvenile detention facility and will soon stand before a judge, but prosecutors told KHQ they can't say when that will be.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.