You catch someone stealing food for their child. You?

I'd let them go. A hungry child isn't a criminal situation, it's a failure of the system to provide basic needs.

This is difficult, but I lean toward letting them go while also trying to connect them with food banks and assistance programs. Both compassion and systems matter.

Report them. Rules exist to maintain order, and there are social programs available for those in need.

Rules must be upheld, otherwise society breaks down completely. There are charitable organizations that exist for exactly this reason.

In a country where so many go hungry, turning in someone stealing for their child would haunt me forever.