Woman Charged for Allegedly Lying About Walmart Bathroom Assault

Autumn Tomlin accused of making false report, undermining trust in sexual assault investigations

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

An 18-year-old Kentucky woman named Autumn L. Tomlin has been charged with felony false reporting after police say she lied about being sexually assaulted in a Walmart bathroom earlier this month. Authorities say their investigation found evidence refuting Tomlin's claims, and they are urging the public to be cautious about spreading unverified information on social media that could undermine trust in law enforcement's handling of such serious allegations.

Why it matters

False reports of sexual assault can have a damaging impact, discouraging real victims from coming forward and diverting critical resources away from legitimate investigations. This case highlights the need for thorough, evidence-based inquiries into such claims before conclusions are drawn, in order to maintain public trust and ensure justice is served.

The details

According to police, officers responded on February 4th to the Walmart Supercenter in Glasgow, Kentucky after Tomlin reported a sexual assault had occurred inside the store's restroom. Detectives immediately launched a full investigation, but as it progressed, they obtained digital and physical evidence that "refuted the legitimacy" of Tomlin's allegations. Authorities did not provide further details on the nature of the evidence that contradicted Tomlin's claims.

  • On February 4th, police responded to Tomlin's report of a sexual assault at a Walmart in Glasgow, Kentucky.
  • On February 15th, Tomlin was arrested and charged with felony false reporting.
  • Tomlin is scheduled to appear in court for her arraignment on March 16th.

The players

Autumn L. Tomlin

An 18-year-old Kentucky woman who was arrested and charged with felony false reporting for allegedly lying about being sexually assaulted in a Walmart bathroom.

Glasgow Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated Tomlin's claims and determined they were false, leading to her arrest.

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What they’re saying

“Allegations of this nature are incredibly serious and need to be thoroughly investigated before conclusions are made, not only for the integrity of the investigation but for public safety.”

— Glasgow Police Department (Press Release)

“False reports negatively impact other victims who want to report their trauma, while also undermining public trust and diverting critical emergency resources.”

— Glasgow Police Department (Press Release)

What’s next

Tomlin is scheduled to appear in court for her arraignment on March 16th, where the judge will determine the next steps in her case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of thorough, evidence-based investigations into serious allegations, in order to maintain public trust, ensure justice is served, and avoid undermining support for legitimate victims of sexual assault who come forward.