Mum and son make shocking discovery in bathroom of coffee shop giant

Having paid a visit to a Californian branch of coffee chain Starbucks, a woman and her five-year-old son quickly availed of the facilities and made a startling discovery in the process.

While using the bathroom in the Lancaster branch of the popular coffee shop, the woman's son noticed a device concealed beneath the restroom's sink.

Recalling the incident, the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, told local press her son said: "Mommy, why is there a phone under there?"

Having her attention drawn to the concealed item by her concerned son, the woman found a phone propped up with paper towels and pointed towards the public toilet, telling press:"It's such a violation of privacy, not only of mine but of my son."

Alerting staff to the discovery, employees immediately contacted police who arrived on the scene and confiscated the device.

According to deputies, the phone was recording video, but it is unclear where the video was being sent or how long the device was in record mode.

Commenting on the frightening discovery, a spokesperson for Starbucks said: "We are disturbed by this incident and take our obligation to provide a safe environment for our customers and partners (employees) very seriously."

Commending staff for their prompt reaction, the spokesperson finished by saying: "Our store partners took swift action as soon as they became aware of the incident by immediately alerting the sheriff's department of the situation."