COLUMBUS, OHIO — An Ohio woman is accused of falsely reporting her 4-year-old daughter missing so officers would find her stolen car more quickly.
According to WBNS, an Amber Alert was issued in central Ohio on Monday when Jessica Pickett of Columbus reportedly told police that her daughter, Janylia Fails, was in the vehicle left running in front of the home on North Fourth Street. The girl was later found safe and unharmed; police said she had been with her aunt since Sunday evening.
Pickett has been charged with falsification, police said. Franklin County Children Services officials have taken the child and two siblings, ages 5 and 2, into protective custody.
Authorities said Pickett told them her daughter was asleep in the backseat of the vehicle so it would be found faster.
Police said they also arrested 22-year-old Bradley Stroud on a charge of grand theft auto.