Cops: Md. mother's report of child in stolen car a hoax
BALTIMORE -- Police say a woman in Baltimore lied to police when she said her child was in her car when it was stolen Friday morning, reports CBS Baltimore.
The woman allegedly told police that she had left her car running with her keys in the ignition and her two-year-old son inside. She said an unknown man got in the car and drove away.
Police launched a search for the child, but are now reportedly looking into the story as a hoax after the child was found to be safe at daycare. Baltimore Police spokesman T.J. Smith said investigators believe the car actually was stolen, but the woman reported that her child was inside so police would look for the car faster.
"This was something that was fabricated to get a vehicle back," Smith said.
Charges may be filed against the woman for making a false statement.
Smith told the Washington Post police are still looking for the stolen car, and that police will notify Child Protective Services to review whether the child is safe in his mother's custody.
"We're fortunate that we aren't dealing with a child that was in a stolen vehicle," Smith told the paper. "It's kind of inappropriate for the child to be used this way."