Wow. Just wow.
I hope he feels the lowest kind of low. No explanation. No excuses, "Sorry, I didn't know it belonged to anyone." Nothing. Just send in the kid.
Sounds like the guy is failing at more than being a thief. I don't think I could get any of my kids to do that, so he must have threatened them or something. I mean, I doubt, "Son/daughter, your Dad stole this here camera, which makes me a thief, so I need you to go into his here Walmart and give it back to its rightful owner, which also makes me a coward. Love you," would have worked. :)