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Toddler Found In Claw Crane Machine With Toys

Toddler Found In Claw Crane Machine With Toys

A toddler has been reunited with his mother after he was discovered inside a claw crane machine filled with stuffed animal toys at a nearby bowling alley.

Police say the boy's mother called 911 after her son went missing from her apartment in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Around the same time she made her call, employees at Madsen's Bowling Alley across the street called authorities to report that a small boy had been found inside their coin-operated claw machine.

Rachell Hildreth, an employee at the bowling alley, took a picture of the toddler inside the machine.

The photo shows the boy appearing quite content as he plays with the pile of soft toys.

Ms Hildreth told local television station KOLN-TV that she and her colleagues were in "disbelief".

She said: "The only thing we can think of is that he crawled in where the prizes come out, but that still seems a little impossible."

Jim Lakey, a representative from the vending machine company managed to free the boy, who was quickly reunited with his mother.

Mr Lakey told KOLN that the ordeal was a first in his 38 years in the business, adding it must have taken some time for the boy to wiggle his way into the machine.

He said: "It wasn't easy for him to do, let's put it that way."

Lincoln police said there was no indication of neglect by the mother and no charges were filed.