



LANCASTER, CA -- Deputies are investigating the discovery of a hidden cell phone camera hiding inside the women's restroom at a Starbucks in Lancaster, California.



A woman, who asked not to be identified, told KTLA that her 5-year-old son found the cell phone around 10:30 a.m. at the Starbucks near Avenue K and 10th Street on Thursday, July 9th.



"My son used the restroom first and I used the restroom after him. I noticed he was staring at the sink a little bit perplexed. I asked him what was wrong and he said, 'Mommy, why is there a phone under there?'" said the boy's mother.



The woman looked under the sink and saw a phone propped up by paper towels with the camera facing toward the toilet. She immediately notified employees and they contacted the sheriff's department.



"The deputies discovered that the cell phone was running in a video-recording motion," said Lieutenant Joseph Fender with the Lancaster Sheriff's Station.



"It's such a violation of privacy. Not only of mine, but my son," said the mother.



It is unclear how long the video was recording or where it was being sent to.



Deputies have obtained some type of surveillance video from the Starbucks but it they aren't sure of the contents of the video at this time.



Starbucks spokesman Jaime Riley reached out to KTLA and made this statement:



"We are disturbed by this incident and take our obligation to provide a safe environment for our customers and partners (employees) very seriously. Our store partners took swift action as soon as they became aware of the incident by immediately alerting the Sheriff's Department of the situation."



