Can You Be Prosecuted for Accidentally Taking an Item, After Returning to Pay

I realize my concern may be ridiculous. I am a paranoid person by nature.

I accidentally left a Target store in Massachusetts without paying for the ~$30 item I had in my hand. My mind wandered as I walked to their checkout area and I just plain forgot - no employee attempted to stop me. After I got home I realized my mistake and went back to the store to pay for the item. I explained to the person at the customer service desk, apologized, paid, and left. Normally I would never give this incident a second thought.

HOWEVER, being the paranoid person that I am, I started googling about Target and learned that they have notoriously effective loss prevention departments. Now I'm worried that I've somehow ended up on a list or will be getting some angry letter in the mail in the coming weeks. Other than keeping the receipt, is there anything else I should be doing to protect myself?

Keep the receipt forever. Make copies of it. Save one to your computer. Back it up.

That you went in, paid, got a receipt, and left unscathed probably means nothing will come of it.

I have had to do that sort of thing three or so times in my life and there has been zero repercussions as a result. I think you're fine. But, saving the receipt couldn't hurt.