I am completely freaking out because yesterday I purchased a ton of stuff from a Meijer store and realized later that I left without paying for something on the bottom of my cart.

Upon leaving the store, the sensors went off, and the lady stopped me and scanned a product and stopped it from setting them off again. Then she asked me to show her the receipt, which I did. She looked at it, asked me which lane I was in, and I left.

I left the parking lot, and came home. It wasn't until I sat down to figure out what I owed and what my mom owed (I was shopping for both of us) when I realized that I hadn't paid for the item (I can't remember how much it was, but it was for sure under $50......all I can remember is it was on clearance when I saw it on the shelf).

I should mention that I am on medication and have a medical condition that impairs my recall of things at times. In addition to that, I was extremely stressed out and very, very tired. I know this sounds lame, but I have undergone very intensive treatments for two years now, and they have begun to impede my recall skills tremendously.

I called my mom (the item I left with was for her) and started crying, I told her what happened. I told her I needed a ride to the store to pay for the item, and asked her to bring the item with her. She then directed me to this site, where I promptly began to freak out even more when I read all the posts of similar situations and those people were arrested and jailed and had to go to court.............I'm literally freaking out right now. I WANT to do the right thing, I have more than enough money to pay for this item.
I make very good money and work for a very high profile person in this state. If I go back, I'm afraid I will be charged with something I REALLY did not mean to do, and I will lose my job.

Somebody please advise. What should I do?