Police: Report of Stolen Car with 5-Year-Old Inside Was a 'Hoax'

Two women face charges after falsely claiming a child was abducted in Missouri

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a car key fob against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, capturing the texture and details of the metal and plastic in a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A harsh flash photograph of a car key fob highlights the investigative details behind a false report of a missing child and stolen vehicle.Affton Today

Police in St. Louis County, Missouri, said the report of a 5-year-old girl who went missing after being left unattended in a running vehicle that was then stolen was a 'hoax'. After an intense investigation, detectives learned that a child had never actually been abducted, and the two women involved are now expected to face charges for filing a false police report.

Why it matters

False reports of missing children and stolen vehicles can divert significant police resources and cause unnecessary panic in the community. This case highlights the importance of verifying information before issuing Amber Alerts and the potential consequences for those who make fraudulent claims.

The details

According to police, the two women involved told officers that one of them was taking care of her dead sister's child, who had been left in a car that was then stolen. However, as detectives began contacting other family members, it became clear that this was not the case. The lack of photos, children's clothing, or eyewitness accounts of the child also indicated to police that there was no missing child. While a car was stolen, police are still investigating the motive behind the false report.

  • The initial 911 call was received shortly before 8 a.m. local time on March 30, 2026.
  • The Amber Alert was issued and then canceled later that same day after the investigation revealed the report was a hoax.

The players

St. Louis County Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that investigated the reported abduction and determined it to be a false claim.

Jerry Lohr

A lieutenant colonel with the St. Louis County Police Department who spoke at a press briefing about the case.

Vera Clay

A spokesperson for the St. Louis County Police Department who provided initial details about the reported incident.

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What they’re saying

“While we are extremely grateful that there is no child in danger, we want to be very clear — we will use all available resources to ensure our community members, especially the most vulnerable among us, are safe.”

— St. Louis County Police Department

“It's important to note the amount of time and resources and the allocation of our resources that go into something like this. We take this very, very seriously.”

— Jerry Lohr, Lt. Col., St. Louis County Police Department

What’s next

The St. Louis County Police Department is seeking charges for filing a false police report against the two women involved in the hoax.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for caution and verification when responding to reports of missing children or stolen vehicles, as false claims can divert critical resources and cause unnecessary panic in the community. The St. Louis County Police Department's thorough investigation and commitment to accountability in this matter serve as an important example for law enforcement agencies nationwide.