NYC meteorologist admits fake rape claim

A TV meteorologist admitted Wednesday she'd made up claims of being repeatedly attacked by a stranger on the city streets, allegations that sparked an extensive investigation before police said she told them she'd invented the story to get attention. Heidi Jones, who has worked for stations in New York and Texas and filled in on ABC's "Good Morning America," pleaded guilty to misdemeanor false-reporting charges.

Her plea deal calls for three years' probation, continuing psychiatric counseling and 350 hours of community service

"Hopefully, this resolution today will make it possible for her to move on with her life and to make amends," Callan added. Suspended after her December arrest, she no longer has her job at New York's local ABC station. Callan declined to comment on the circumstances of her departure. Jones, 38, told police Dec. 1 the same man attacked her while she was running in Central Park last September and again outside her Manhattan apartment in November, authorities said.

After she provided a detailed description

"I made it up for attention. I have so much stress at work, with my personal life and with my family," she said, according to the document. Callan declined Wednesday to discuss what prompted Jones' fake claims. Jones anchored weekend evening weather coverage during about five years at New York's WABC-TV. She previously worked in cities including Albany, New York, and Houston, where she once delivered a forecast while running a marathon.

Unemployed and struggling financially since her arrest, she has had to give up her former apartment, Callan said. "She's paid a high price for the crimes she pleaded guilty to," he said.

A TV meteorologist admitted Wednesday she'd made up claims of being repeatedly attacked by a stranger on the city streets, allegations that sparked an extensive investigation before police said she told them she'd invented the story to get attention. Heidi Jones, who has worked for stations in New York and Texas and filled in on ABC's "Good Morning America," pleaded guilty to misdemeanor false-reporting charges.

Her plea deal calls for three years' probation, continuing psychiatric counseling and 350 hours of community service

"Hopefully, this resolution today will make it possible for her to move on with her life and to make amends," Callan added. Suspended after her December arrest, she no longer has her job at New York's local ABC station. Callan declined to comment on the circumstances of her departure. Jones, 38, told police Dec. 1 the same man attacked her while she was running in Central Park last September and again outside her Manhattan apartment in November, authorities said.

After she provided a detailed description

"I made it up for attention. I have so much stress at work, with my personal life and with my family," she said, according to the document. Callan declined Wednesday to discuss what prompted Jones' fake claims. Jones anchored weekend evening weather coverage during about five years at New York's WABC-TV. She previously worked in cities including Albany, New York, and Houston, where she once delivered a forecast while running a marathon.

Unemployed and struggling financially since her arrest, she has had to give up her former apartment, Callan said. "She's paid a high price for the crimes she pleaded guilty to," he said.

A TV meteorologist admitted Wednesday she'd made up claims of being repeatedly attacked by a stranger on the city streets, allegations that sparked an extensive investigation before police said she told them she'd invented the story to get attention. Heidi Jones, who has worked for stations in New York and Texas and filled in on ABC's "Good Morning America," pleaded guilty to misdemeanor false-reporting charges.

Her plea deal calls for three years' probation, continuing psychiatric counseling and 350 hours of community service

"Hopefully, this resolution today will make it possible for her to move on with her life and to make amends," Callan added. Suspended after her December arrest, she no longer has her job at New York's local ABC station. Callan declined to comment on the circumstances of her departure. Jones, 38, told police Dec. 1 the same man attacked her while she was running in Central Park last September and again outside her Manhattan apartment in November, authorities said.

After she provided a detailed description

"I made it up for attention. I have so much stress at work, with my personal life and with my family," she said, according to the document. Callan declined Wednesday to discuss what prompted Jones' fake claims. Jones anchored weekend evening weather coverage during about five years at New York's WABC-TV. She previously worked in cities including Albany, New York, and Houston, where she once delivered a forecast while running a marathon.

Unemployed and struggling financially since her arrest, she has had to give up her former apartment, Callan said. "She's paid a high price for the crimes she pleaded guilty to," he said.

A TV meteorologist admitted Wednesday she'd made up claims of being repeatedly attacked by a stranger on the city streets, allegations that sparked an extensive investigation before police said she told them she'd invented the story to get attention. Heidi Jones, who has worked for stations in New York and Texas and filled in on ABC's "Good Morning America," pleaded guilty to misdemeanor false-reporting charges.

Her plea deal calls for three years' probation, continuing psychiatric counseling and 350 hours of community service

"Hopefully, this resolution today will make it possible for her to move on with her life and to make amends," Callan added. Suspended after her December arrest, she no longer has her job at New York's local ABC station. Callan declined to comment on the circumstances of her departure. Jones, 38, told police Dec. 1 the same man attacked her while she was running in Central Park last September and again outside her Manhattan apartment in November, authorities said.

After she provided a detailed description

"I made it up for attention. I have so much stress at work, with my personal life and with my family," she said, according to the document. Callan declined Wednesday to discuss what prompted Jones' fake claims. Jones anchored weekend evening weather coverage during about five years at New York's WABC-TV. She previously worked in cities including Albany, New York, and Houston, where she once delivered a forecast while running a marathon.