(Fayette Co., TN) A wild kidnapping story out of Fayette County turned out to be a hoax.
The 11-year-old who made up the story told News Channel 3 that he was going to get in trouble with his parents, so he made up the story.
He said he got the elaborate plot from a movie he watched on Lifetime.
It definitely had the twists and turns of a crime drama.
“The story was very bizarre to say the least,” Fayette County Inspector Raymond Garcia, III, said.
The boy said he was kidnapped outside his home while getting the mail, then dropped in a field in only his boxers.
He also claimed there were two other kids in the car. He even went to the Dollar General store nearby in tears to call for help.
Investigators said when they heard that story, they had no choice but to believe him.
“In today’s world, you can’t dismiss something because it’s bizarre,” Garcia said.
After a three-hour search for the alleged kidnappers, the boy admitted he made up the whole thing.
Neighbors were stunned.
“I’m very upset. Coming home I felt very concerned for the parents and the child,” neighbor Tracy West said. “To find out it’s not real is terrible.”
The child’s father said the boy was scared because his mother told him he was going to be spanked by his dad.
The boy had apparently been playing outside when he was supposed to be studying. The father said that his son is a straight-A student and is never in trouble, so he got scared and made up the story.
His story certainly frightened this usually quiet community near Oakland.
“It’s very frustrating because it tends to bring a cry-wolf type effect where people don’t believe stories when they come out and that’s always a concern,” Garcia said.
The District Attorney’s Office will determine if any charges will be placed for false reporting.