London, Aug 8 : A three-year-old toddler made headlines after sneaking off in the middle of the night to buy sweets from a supermarket - one and a half miles (about 2.5 km) from his home in northwest Britain.
When Max McGrath woke up late Wednesday night, he knew exactly where to go. The sweet-toothed toddler pulled on his brother's shoes, two sizes bigger than his, unlocked the door and made his historic stroll towards the local supermarket in Longridge in Lancashire County, the Daily Telegraph reported.
It was 3 a.m. and the market was closed when he reached there. The frustrated Max was found peering through the windows of the shop by James Brown, a delivery driver, who had just finished his night shift.
When Brown asked Max why he was there and where he lived, he just could not believe his ears after hearing the toddler's answer.
He took the kid to his house in Longridge, but failed to wake anyone there. His parents were deep in sleep, unaware of their little son's daring mission in the night
The man called the police who managed to reunite the child with his parents after more than an hour.
Max's mother Amy McGrath, 30, who works as a nurse in the town, said: "The door was doubled locked. Max got the key, unlocked the door and walked out.
"He is a very adventurous boy but it is a complete surprise that he would do something like this. It is terrifying to think what might have happened because he must have crossed several roads," said a shocked McGrath.
"When I asked him why he went out he said he wanted some sweets. He didn't say what sort, he just said he wanted sweets. And, in any case, he didn't have any money on him.
"Now I just keep reliving it over and over in my head, thinking about what could have happened to Max. I'm just glad he's safe." She thanked Brown for bringing her child back home safely.
She also promised that now she would make sure the key is kept well out of Max's reach after the door has been locked.
The police officers who attended to Brown's report said they were stunned to know the kid's adventurous trip in the dark.
"It would appear that Max had let himself out. He was wearing his pyjamas when we arrived at the house. His family were extremely shocked when he was returned to them," a police spokesman said.
--- IANS
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