Woman confesses to lying about Southgate kidnapping
SOUTHGATE, Mich. (WJBK) -
After discovering a Southgate woman lied about being kidnapped, police are now describing how they found out and why she may have done it.
Police say 19-year-old Deanaija Foy told officers she was kidnapped Tuesday night while walking near her sister's apartment. She claimed she was beaten when she tried to use her phone and the captor demanded a $25,000 ransom. She was "reunited" with her family at Fountain Park after telling police she escaped from her captor.
But officers revealed Thursday night they determined the story wasn't real.
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"In their interview with her she admitted that she made up the story. It was, in fact, fake," said Jeff Smith, public safety director of the Southgate Police Department.
The woman had told police she was thrown into the trunk of a black Impala and that her kidnapper drove her around.
"We had plenty of phone calls on it. We had citizens in the community sending in tips on the vehicle that she (described)," Smith said.
She claimed she was finally able to escape while at the intersection of Leroy and Trenton - the same area where she claimed she was abducted.
"It put panic and fear into community, not only in Southgate but other Downriver communities," Smith said. "You like to take everybody for their word at first, but as the story kept going on it just didn't make sense - the stuff that she was telling our officers who were first on scene and the investigators."
Police say there were a few red flags. For example, Foy's aunt had told reporters that the captor let Foy keep her phone made her call her brother. Officials say an actual kidnapper wound never let his victim be able to keep her cell phone and freely make phone calls.
Many people, including the woman's family, are asking why she lied.
"She alleged that maybe had some family issues, some issues she was dealing with herself," Smith said.
The woman could be charged with making a false police report.
"It's unfair what she did to not only her family, but to all of the communities involved," Smith said.
Once the authorities wrap up their investigation, the Wayne County prosecutor's office will determine if charges should be filed.