Mother Claims Target Employees Initially Refused To Page Missing Son With Autism Over Intercom

MONTCLAIR (CBSLA.com) — A mother whose developmentally disabled son went missing in a Target store claims employees initially refused to page her son over the store's loudspeaker because of a policy prohibiting announcements.

Jeannette Bonilla was at a Target in Montclair with her 14-year-old son David when the two were separated.

Bonilla's son, who she said has severe autism, is trained to listen for his name if he ever gets lost.

After searching frantically, Bonilla asked the store's staff for help. She was shocked when they told her that Target has a "no noise" policy and does not make announcements over the loudspeaker.

"What if he went into the bathroom and someone did something to him and I don't know?" said Bonilla. "Too many things go through your mind. What if he left the store?"

But after 30 minutes, the store manager said he would make the announcement over the store's loudspeaker.

"I said wait, I've been here for half an hour saying you guys have a policy, and you say you don't have a policy? Then your employees are not trained correctly."

Target released a statement that reads:

"In this case the guest received inaccurate information. Soon after, a store manager interjected and paged the child twice. The mother and child were reunited at guest services. We have coached the appropriate team members on our policies to prevent this from ever happening again."

Bonilla said she is coming forward with her story to encourage other stores to review their policies.