An Amber alert hit NYC this morning after 16-year-old Karol Sanchez was taken into a van by four men while out walking with her mom.
The city and country were horrified by the footage of such a brazen abduction.
But not everything was as it seemed.
It was subsequently reported that Sanchez—found "safe" from her ordeal—admitted to police she staged her own kidnapping to present a challenge to her "overprotective" mother.
The scene was initially horrifying as four men abducted 16-year-old Karol directly in front of her mom. The kidnapping was caught on security cameras.
But CBS New York had an update to the story shortly after Karol was found.
Sources: 16-Year-Old Karol Sanchez Admitted She Staged Kidnappingwww.youtube.com
Her mother, who was clearly traumatized, along with the rest of NYC who received the Amber Alert early this morning, prayed for Sanchez's safe return.
She was found safe shortly thereafter.
But moments after she'd been found safe, the police began suspecting she may have staged the abduction.
Not much information has been released.
No charges have yet been filed.
In 24 hours, this case has gone from a frightening abduction to a story of a very troubled young person.
@BosniaNTBall/X
@BosniaNTBall/X
@theecoobadass/Bluesky
@BosniaNTBall/X
New York Post
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social