Nine-year-old Simone was out shopping with her mother in the local strip mall. While her mother was looking in a furniture store, Simone received permission to go next door to a women's clothing store. While in the store, she picked up a package of socks and moved to the front door to see if her mother was outside. The manager, thinking that Simone was shoplifting, grabbed her by the arm and placed her in an unlocked storage room, where he asked her questions for about 15 minutes. After being satisfied that Simone had not intended to steal merchandise, he continued to keep her in the unlit storeroom, alone, for nearly two additional hours, because he could not locate her mother. Has the store manager committed a tort by his actions?

In the case of the Store , the manager was proactive so nothing is stolen from the store which could result in a loss. After questioning the child and confirming she had no intention to steal the socks, he should have made efforts to locate her mother or call the relevant authorities in reuniting her with the mother instead of detaining her in an unlit room for additional 2 hours .