Two women in Affton are facing misdemeanor charges after authorities determined a reported child abduction that prompted an Amber Alert was fabricated.
False Alarm Sparks Major Police Response
According to the St. Louis County Police Department, officers initially responded to a report Monday morning claiming a 5-year-old child had been abducted in a stolen vehicle.
The report led to an urgent, large-scale response, including the issuance of an Amber Alert by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Investigation Reveals No Child Missing
As officers continued their investigation, inconsistencies in the story began to emerge. Authorities found no evidence that a child had been inside the stolen vehicle or reported missing.
Police later confirmed that the description of the child had been entirely fabricated.
Two Women Charged
Prosecutors charged:
- Ashley Collins with misuse of 911 and making a false report
- Kayla Williams with making a false report
Both women were taken into custody, and a judge set bond at $10,000 each.
Stolen Vehicle Still Under Investigation
While the abduction claim was false, police confirmed that the vehicle theft did occur. The car was recovered a short distance away, and investigators are still searching for the individual responsible for stealing it.
Impact on Emergency Resources
Officials emphasized that false reports of this nature divert critical law enforcement resources away from genuine emergencies, especially in time-sensitive cases involving children.