Staff drove two housemates to the Eden Prairie mall. The staff and housemates frequent the mall and are very familiar with the area. They parked in the back of the mall parking lot as they prefer the walk into the mall for some exercise. After shopping in the mall they stopped at the food court for lunch. The person who went missing brought his own lunch and after eating needed to use the restroom. This person had never used the restroom at this mall before. Staff stayed with the other person while he walked to the restroom. The restroom sign was in line of sight for the staff and staff saw the person enter the hallway that led to the restroom. There was only one entrance to the restroom area.  

While the person was using the restroom, the staff reported the other person was experiencing anxiety. Staff is trained in positive behavior approaches and did help the person by talking to them while they used a paper bag to take some deep breaths. After about 10 minutes, staff and the person she was supporting went to the restroom area to check on the person as they did not see him exit. While she was assisting the person, she did have line of sight on the exit to her best knowledge. Staff checked the family and womens restroom, while the other person checked the mens restroom. The person was not present. Staff then spoke with a cleaning attendant and she helped contact the mall security.   

Mall security searched for the person while the staff and other person searched around the food court. Mall security then asked the staff to remain at the food court and that they would contact the police to assist.  Staff then called the Opportunity Partners nurse as the typical program manager was on vacation.  

At about 12:45 the mall security found the person standing by the staff’s vehicle. Mall security then reunited the staff with the person.  
