Two Women Charged in Fake Amber Alert Abduction Hoax

Police say the women fabricated a story about a kidnapped 5-year-old child who did not actually exist.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:18pm

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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. The fob is the sole focus, with dramatic shadows and highlights emphasizing the texture and material details, conceptually representing the serious nature of false emergency reports.A harsh, gritty close-up of a car key fob highlights the consequences of false emergency reports that waste critical law enforcement resources.St. Louis Today

Two women in St. Louis, Missouri have been charged with filing false reports after allegedly making up a story about a 5-year-old girl being kidnapped, prompting an Amber Alert and extensive police response. Ashley Collins, 29, and Kayla Williams, 31, are facing charges of misuse of 911 and making false reports. The women confessed that while a car had been stolen, the part about the missing child was completely fabricated.

Why it matters

Hoax 911 calls and false reports can waste valuable police resources and time that could be better spent addressing real emergencies and public safety threats. Authorities are frustrated by the number of resources dedicated to this case, which turned out to be completely unfounded.

The details

According to court records, Ashley Collins called 911 to report that her car had been stolen with a 5-year-old girl inside. An Amber Alert was issued, and police used K-9 units and a helicopter to search for the stolen vehicle and missing child. The SUV was eventually found about a mile away, but no one was inside. After five hours, Collins and Williams confessed that they had made up the part about the missing child, who did not actually exist.

  • On March 31, 2026, Ashley Collins called 911 to report the alleged kidnapping.
  • Police resources were dedicated to the search for several hours.
  • Five hours after the initial 911 call, the women confessed the story was fabricated.

The players

Ashley Collins

A 29-year-old St. Louis resident who is charged with misuse of 911 and making a false report.

Kayla Williams

A 31-year-old St. Louis resident who is charged with making a false report.

Lt. Col. Jerry Lohr

A St. Louis County police officer who expressed frustration over the wasted resources dedicated to this hoax.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on the women's bail and whether they will be released pending trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious consequences of making false 911 calls and reports, which can divert critical police resources away from genuine emergencies and endanger public safety. Authorities are determined to hold those responsible accountable in order to deter future hoaxes.