Arrest warrant issued for 9-year-old accused of stealing gum

POST FALLS, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for a 9-year-old boy who failed to show up in court.

KHQ-TV reports that the boy from Post Falls is accused of stealing a pack of gum. Police Chief Scott Haug says it's the first time in his 30 years in law enforcement that he's ever seen an arrest warrant for someone that young.

Haug says the child missed court because relatives had no way of getting him to the courthouse.

Kootenai County prosecutor Barry McHugh says the warrant was issued because the boy twice failed to appear. He says he can't comment further because the case involves someone younger than 18.

The child is currently in the Juvenile Detention Center.