COEUR d'ALENE - With reports going viral of a 9-year-old boy getting arrested for allegedly stealing gum from a local grocery store, 1st District Court officials on Wednesday tried to set the record straight on a couple details.

"The juvenile did not remain detained for an extended period of time," the court said in a statement.

The Post Falls boy was detained for 22 hours, according to the court's records. He's charged with misdemeanor petit theft.

Officials also said District Court Judge Lansing Haynes didn't issue the arrest warrant, as was widely reported. The warrant was actually signed by Magistrate Scott Wayman.

The boy was taken into custody at 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, and was in court the next day at 4:17 p.m., the court said.

He was released to his family from the Kootenai County Juvenile Detention Center at 6:08 p.m., following that day's court hearing.

The alleged theft was actually from last summer.

Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh apologized on Monday on behalf of his office for the boy's arrest.

A warrant had been issued for his arrest after two court appearances came and went and the boy wasn't able to attend either one.

In his apology, McHugh said seeking a court-ordered child protection investigation was more appropriate under the circumstances than an arrest warrant.

Post Falls police had to pick the boy up and drive him to the detention center. Police Chief Scot Haug said earlier this week that it was an errand no officer wants a part of, and called the whole thing a "difficult situation."