Authorities say a teenager in Florida staged her own kidnapping to gain sympathy from her ex after their break-up.
According to WOKV, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office determined the alleged abduction of Ankita Lavender was a hoax.
“The young lady has, in fact, recanted her statement,” said CCSO Colonel Craig Aldrich.
On Tuesday, Lavender told her ex she was being followed, then called her father and said that two men had forced her into a white van.
Officials issued an Amber Alert and police began searching for the 16-year-old.
The Daily Mail noted that she was found just hours after making the call and finally admitted to lying about the kidnapping to gain sympathy after a break-up with her ex-boyfriend.
Lavender’s hoax cost the city an estimated $5,000-$6,000 in resources and many believe she should be charged for her staged abduction.
Misdemeanor charges could be filed against her for a false police report, but because she is a juvenile, the charges will not be made public.