An Idaho prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for a 9-year-old boy who failed to appear in court after he was charged for stealing a pack of gum.

Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh said the warrant was issued against the boy because it was the second time he missed his day in court, a local NBC affiliate reported. Mr. McHugh said he couldn’t comment further because the case involves someone younger than 18.

Post Falls Chief of Police Scott Haug said this is the first time in his 30 years in law enforcement that he’s ever seen an arrest warrant issued for someone that young.

“I was surprised that it had gotten to this level,” he told the news station.

Chief Haug said the boy failed to appear because the family didn’t have the means to get him to the courthouse.

“Had we known that before the court date we would have provided something for the family,” he told the station. “I wish we would have had more information that way we could have provided some sort of assistance.”

The child is currently in the Juvenile Detention Center awaiting a date to be set for him to appear before a judge.

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