I’m still broken-up about having to send someone at work home for the day

I think you did the right thing. There's consequences for our screw ups & there's other peoples jobs who were affected because he didn't do his. Going home was the right thing for him at the moment. Maybe now he'll better understand that his job comes first while he's on the clock.

Not trying to judge the dude at all, he seems smart & understanding. I think he'll be back. & Hopefully he learned a little bit 🙏 I think it sounds like you handled that well

From what I read in your other post, he's lucky you still want him back. I was never given any second chances in my first jobs...at least not when I had a female boss 😂