An 11-year-old girl in Florida has been arrested after she made a false report that her friend had been kidnapped. The girl, who has not been identified, texted 911 on Wednesday morning to report that her friend had been taken by an armed man who was driving a white van. She also provided a description of the van and the suspect.
Deputies from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report and searched the area, but they were unable to find any evidence of a kidnapping. They eventually tracked down the girl and her friend, who were both safe and unharmed.
The girl admitted to making up the story and said that she did it because she thought it would be funny. She was arrested and charged with making a false report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner, a felony. She was also charged with misuse of 911, a misdemeanor.
The sheriff’s office said that the girl’s actions were “dangerous and irresponsible” and that they wasted valuable law enforcement resources. They also said that the girl could have faced serious consequences if her story had been true.
This is not the first time that a child has been arrested for making a false kidnapping report. In 2017, a 12-year-old girl in Alabama was arrested after she made a false report that she had been kidnapped by a man in a van. She was also charged with making a false report concerning the use of a firearm in a violent manner.
False kidnapping reports are a serious problem. They can divert law enforcement resources away from real emergencies, and they can also cause unnecessary fear and anxiety for families and friends of the alleged victim. If you are ever considering making a false kidnapping report, please think twice. The consequences could be severe.
Latest Updates
- The girl has been released from custody on bond.
- She is scheduled to appear in court on August 15th.
- The sheriff’s office is still investigating the incident.