Toddler’s terrifying find in Target store

A Mildura toddler made a potentially deadly find in the toy aisle of Target that even local police couldn’t believe.

Quick-thinking Target staff phoned police.

A toddler picked up a bag of potentially deadly amphetamines discarded in the toy aisle of a Target store.

The 18-month-old’s mother told the Sunday Herald Sun she initially thought the bag of drugs was a sachet of moisture absorbing gel used in packing material.

Quick-thinking staff at the Mildura store phoned police who within 10 minutes identified its contents as methamphetamine and the youngster was taken to hospital.

The drugs found at a Target store in Mildura.

“He was in the pram getting restless so we let him have a look at the toys,” the mother, who asked not to be named, said.

“Then my husband saw him bend over to pick something up.

“I thought it was a moisture packet which is extremely dangerous for children if swallowed.

“It wasn’t hiding or underneath anything — it was just sitting on the floor.

“I couldn’t believe it, I felt so naive.”

The mother said she had to prise the packet — later found to be torn — from her son’s hands.

Her husband alerted Target staff to the incident, which occurred on Friday about 6.45pm.

The mum said she was grateful for the store’s handling of the scare and was furious the person who owned the drugs could be so ignorant.

It also served as a warning for parents to be vigilant.

Although the tot didn’t put the bag in his mouth the mum feared the worst.

MORE NEWS: SOLAR SCHEME ‘KILLING US WITH KINDNESS’

FAMILIES AT WAR OVER VEGAN LIFESTYLE

A recent drug blitz in Mildura meant police had equipment available to quickly test the substance.

“The police said they couldn’t believe it,’’ the mother said.

“The sergeant said it would be worth thousands.”

The toddler was taken to Mildura Base Hospital where doctors gave him the all-clear after several hours.

Police said investigations were ongoing.

[e-mail]