Penn State Police have determined that a kidnapping reported to have happened in January on Shortlidge Road did not actually occur, according to a Penn State News release.

After a two-month investigation, police have charged student Samantha N. Sernekos, 20, with one count of “unsworn falsification to authorities” and a separate charge of “false reports to law enforcement authorities,” according to the release. It was originally reported that the kidnapping victim was shoved into the rear of a sedan, the occupants of which attempted to indecently assault her, but she escaped on foot.

“Our preliminary investigation turned up no evidence that a crime had occurred. As the investigation progressed, the victim admitted to investigators that the incident did not happen as it was initially described,” said chief of University Police Tyrone Parham, according to the release. “We spoke with witnesses and friends, looked at video from the area, obtained phone records, carefully worked through the times and dates provided and used all available technologies to determine that this individual was not kidnapped and there was no crime committed.”

About the Author

Tim Gilbert

Former managing editor and staff writer.

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