A lot of confusing reporting going on here.
The original story (http://www.khon2.com/mostpopular/story/Makiki-couple-arrested-over-5-sandwich/h-yUAH_SuEOvm_PZfXUcZA.cspx) says, “A couple’s three-year-old daughter was taken away from them for 18 hours after being arrested for forgetting to pay for a $5 sandwich while grocery shopping.”
*A* $5 sandwich. Also no where does it say the husband ate anything. The mother does say “we”, but that could easily include the 3yo. Giving a child a few bites would be entirely normal if a mom was having a sandwich.
There’s a lot left out of the story like where were the wrappers. Still, it seems entirely out of proportion to seize a 3yo over a $5 sandwich. If an arrest needed to be made, take the father. It’s ridiculous to put a child through CPS for $5.