Woman Who Triggered False South LA Amber Alert Gets 2 Months In Jail
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) – A woman who falsely reported that her Toyota Camry had been carjacked in South Los Angeles with her 16-year-old son inside, sparking a statewide Amber Alert, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of filing a false police report, city prosecutors announced Friday.
Charline Gatson entered the plea Thursday, and she was immediately placed on three years probation and ordered to serve 60 days in jail, although it's unclear exactly how much time she will actually spend behind bars.
According to the City Attorney' Office, Gatson must also pay a $220 fine, with a restitution hearing expected to be held later.
On July 6, Gatson told police that her black 2014 Camry was carjacked at gunpoint around 4 p.m. that day at 47th and Figueroa streets, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The LAPD spent hours looking for the suspected car thief, 31-year-old Kandace Johnson. However, police say Johnson didn't steal the car, but rather it was loaned to her so she could work for a ride sharing company.
Investigators say when the two had a dispute and Johnson didn't return the car, Gatson made up the carjacking and kidnapping story in attempt to get police to prioritize the call.
Gatson was arrested Friday, the same day the Camry and the woman who had borrowed it were found in San Bernardino.
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