Nebraska toddler gets stuck inside claw machine

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Authorities say a toddler has been reunited with his mother after employees found him playing inside a claw crane machine at a Nebraska bowling alley.

In this April 14, 2014 photo provided by Rachelle Hildreth, a 3-year-old boy plays with stuffed toys inside a claw crane game machine at a bowling alley in Lincoln, Nebraska. AP PHOTO

Lincoln police say a 24-year-old woman called Monday afternoon because her 3-year-old son was missing from her apartment.

Employees at the bowling alley across the street meanwhile called police to say a small boy was playing with stuffed animals inside the coin-operated machine.

It was unclear how the boy ended up inside the claw crane machine. A representative from the vending machine company let him out and he was reunited with his mother a short time later. He was not hurt.

Police say the mother was not cited because she quickly reported that her son was missing and there were no indications of neglect.

Read more...