Women Arrested for Faking Child Abduction to Speed Up Car Theft Report

St. Louis couple's false report of a stolen vehicle with a child inside sparked a frantic Amber Alert before police uncovered the hoax.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:05pm

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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, conceptually representing the investigation into a false report of a stolen vehicle and child abduction.A harsh flash photograph of a car key fob highlights the deception behind a false report of a stolen vehicle and abducted child.Affton Today

Two Missouri women, Ashley Collins and Kayla Williams, called police to report a stolen vehicle with a 5-year-old girl named Aleise Dawson inside, prompting an Amber Alert. However, after hours of investigation, the women admitted there was no child in the car and Aleise was completely fabricated. Police arrested the couple on charges of making a false report and misusing 911.

Why it matters

Faking a child abduction is an extremely serious offense that wastes valuable police resources and causes widespread panic in the community. This case highlights the need for accountability when individuals make false claims, especially those involving vulnerable victims like children.

The details

According to police, Collins and Williams reported their 2020 Jeep Renegade stolen with a 5-year-old girl named Aleise Dawson inside. Authorities immediately activated an Amber Alert and searched for the vehicle and child. The Jeep was found a few blocks away, but there was no sign of Aleise. After hours of investigation, the women admitted there was no child in the car and Aleise was fabricated.

  • On March 30, 2026, Collins and Williams called police to report the stolen vehicle and abducted child.
  • Police responded to the reported abduction site just before 8 a.m. that day.
  • After about five hours of investigating, Collins and Williams admitted the child abduction was a hoax.

The players

Ashley Collins

One of the two Missouri women who falsely reported a child abduction to police.

Kayla Williams

The other Missouri woman who, along with Collins, falsely reported a child abduction to police.

Aleise Dawson

The 5-year-old girl that Collins and Williams claimed was abducted, but who was completely fabricated.

St. Louis County Police

The law enforcement agency that responded to the reported child abduction and uncovered the hoax.

Lt. Col. Jerry Lohr

A St. Louis County Police officer who spoke at a news conference about the false report.

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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.”

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

“I don't know if it was a sense of panic, I don't know if the individual thought that they would get more response to the fact that their vehicle was stolen. I can't speak to the motivation of the individual.”

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

What’s next

A judge has set a $10,000 cash-only bond for Collins and Williams, who face charges of making a false report and, in Collins' case, misusing 911.

The takeaway

This case serves as a stark reminder that falsely reporting a child abduction is an extremely serious offense that wastes valuable police resources and causes widespread panic in the community. It underscores the need for accountability when individuals make false claims, especially those involving vulnerable victims.