Report of child abduction proven false

A report of a child abduction around noon today turned out to be false, according to a Chattanooga Police Department press release.

The child's aunt, Letrice Patterson, 32, told police that her car had been stolen from Shallowford Road with the 4-year-old inside. An AMBER alert was activated, and every available officer in the area responded to the incident, investigating for about an hour. During an interview with Patterson during the search process, officers realized her story was not consistent, the press release said.

The child was found to be safe at school and had been dropped off by Patterson just after 8 a.m. this morning. Patterson has since been transported to jail and charged with filing a false report.

Her vehicle, a silver 2010 Mercury Murano, has not yet been recovered.

Upcoming Events