I think the kid was robbed
 

If any kid can manage to get himself stuck in a vending machine, AND get himself out, he deserves to pick out the prize!

Here's the story!

The story's not clear on why the tike didn't end up with the SpongeBob. Maybe it was forgotten in all the hub-bub.


Too bad he's too young to appreciate the prize of being rescued by hunky firefighters.

gah, he didnt even get to keep one? that sounds like a blatant safety violation to me. :D

here...have a spongie...you've earned him.

He didn't free himself. I saw video of him being let out by someone with a key.

The article said that they used the key, but there were two latches inside. They passed him a screwdriver and he undid the latches. What a funny kid.

According to the news, there were TWO instances of this today.

The second one was in Abilene, Texas

It's National Kid Get Stuck in a Vending Machine Day!

I like the stories where somebody bangs a vending machine and it falls over and crushes them in to mummy dust...

Matt needs sleep and the kitties keep partying

At the same time - while I can understand the kid's frustrations, and my soft spot says give the kid the toy - I am of the opinion that behavior like that should not be rewarded. By giving the toy to the kid, a parent would potentially be encouraging it to happen again. I saw pictures of the kid, and he didn't look that freaked out... he could do it again.

Why do I feel like a hard-ass all of a sudden?

I'm pretty sure there's a vending machine code violation in there somewhere.

Same here, JPJ... I don't really recall an opportunity where I could get more than my arm up there, even as a kid. And trust me, I tried.