Walgreens

My 12 year old daughter was accused of stealing today. She came home and told us (Mom and Dad) what the employee, Melodie, said on 5/7/2023 at around 4 pm.  We got into our car and drove to the store to find out what this was all about. I asked for a Manager as soon as we walked in. The young gentleman at the front counter said everyone but he was a manager so I requested the person with the highest credentials. Another lady came up, asked what she could help us with. I advised her that the lady at the prescription center (Melodie) had accused my daughter of stealing and requested proof or explanation as to why the police were not contacted.  Melodie came over with a great deal of attitude saying my daughter had stolen from this store and that she wasn't allowed back. I requested to see the video and then suggested we call the police. She informed us that the video recording system in the store hasn't worked for at least 30 days.  I asked her how she knew it was my daughter, she said she was outside when they came out. and noticed the ARIZONA TEA in her back pocket. I asked why didn't you call the police to which she replied she was outside on break.  My question to that would be how would she have known that the item wasn't paid for if she was outside.

So I asked her if she knew what DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER is... She said she could give a [censored] that we needed to leave the store.  So I mentioned AGAIN that false accusation is a crime.

She then proceeded to tell us we were 86 from the store and that she was going to call the police. We asked that she please do so all the while still requesting her name so I could contact her corporate manager.  During the entire conversation she was speaking extremely aggressive, unprofessional and continued to speak over me.  When the Officers arrived she proceeded to tell them that we came in and made a big scene. As a side note, when the officers pulled up she loudly stated "it's a shame because that it wasn't even your daughter it was the other girl".  While all this was occurring we were speaking with another employee Chris who was actually listening and communicating instead of aggressively speaking over us. Chris proceeded to ask Melodie and myself when this allegedly occurred so he could go check the cameras. Melodie just told us the cameras were down for the last 30 days... Chris had also stated that the kids in question looked older and that they came in wearing backpacks.  We live right next to my daughter's school.  There is no need for her to wear a backpack to any store or out to play as she returns home from school prior to going anywhere else. 

I'm not upset at the fact that this store may have to take certain precautions to minimize theft.  What I am upset about is the way that I was treated when my main objective was to resolve an issue.  My daughter is one of the top students in her class.  She does jiu-jitsu, kickboxing and judo five days a week.  She is taught right from wrong and respect not only in our home but also by her professors as it is a part of the martial arts culture.  I have a very big problem with the fact that my daughter came home crying because an adult decided to accuse and belittle her without any grounds aside from the fact that she was carrying a skateboard.  With the way this employee was speaking to me as an adult I can only imagine how she spoke to my daughter.  She not only profiled her but had no qualms about lying as she did so numerous times while we were at this store. 

I am sincerely asking for help. This grown adult profiled kids based on the clothes they wear, how they look and talk. I'm also contacting the Corp Office tomorrow.  This is in reference to Walgreens Store #10415, Tooele, UT. District Managers name is John Hale Could you please contact us and help us move forward with this please?