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.
Seeking Immediate Information in regards to a kidnapping last night in the vicinity of Eagle Ave and E 156th St. 16… https://t.co/hpi5CgOO0b— NYPD 40th Precinct (@NYPD 40th Precinct) 1576585246.0
https://t.co/TeHB5BUkxg— NYPD 40th Precinct (@NYPD 40th Precinct) 1576585261.0
#AmberALERT now issued for 16-year-old Karol Sanchez who was abducted last night in the #Bronx. Call 911 if you see… https://t.co/K804dN5303— Terence Monahan (@Terence Monahan) 1576597743.0
A beige car — not van — of 4 men, apparently in their 20s, pulled up as the men shoved 5' 5'', 140 lb. Karol Sanche… https://t.co/bJf0hLB6Na— New York Daily News (@New York Daily News) 1576598730.0
MORE INFO 🚨 #KarolSanchez was abducted last night at 11:20pm in front of 745 Eagle Avenue, Bronx, NY 4 male suspec… https://t.co/ycRRdowE57— Complex (@Complex) 1576603841.0
She was found safe shortly thereafter.
But moments after she'd been found safe, the police began suspecting she may have staged the abduction.
NYPD detectives are investigating whether Karol Sanchez stages her abduction, police sources told @ABC. She is bei… https://t.co/x6PvE388wz— Anastasia (@Anastasia) 1576622400.0
Sources told a CBS reporter that Karol Sanchez staged the kidnapping because her mother was "overprotective" https://t.co/Sq0YMt2V1x— philip lewis (@philip lewis) 1576621745.0
@Phil_Lewis_ now you really ain’t going outside sis 😭— Sierra Worley (@Sierra Worley) 1576624197.0
@Phil_Lewis_ @AsteadWesley soooooo being kidnapped was going to help combat her mother’s overprotectiveness how— Hollyn Oats|BLM🌍🌏🌎 (@Hollyn Oats|BLM🌍🌏🌎) 1576622096.0
@Phil_Lewis_ Her mom when she gets back home https://t.co/tihMgAwJpR— Sprinkles The Mosh King (@Sprinkles The Mosh King) 1576624621.0
Not much information has been released.
No charges have yet been filed.
@Phil_Lewis_ This kids nowadays just different— princiicarter (@princiicarter) 1576624768.0
@Phil_Lewis_ My cousin’s live down the block on St. Ann’s st. and did what they could to look for her.. All of Bro… https://t.co/EigL5Xtu5I— Naomi #houseofModerna (@Naomi #houseofModerna) 1576626453.0
@Phil_Lewis_ @GisellePhelps This young girl didn’t have to put her family and community through this. This is so wr… https://t.co/b9XzK1EAMM— Tani Bennett (@Tani Bennett) 1576629242.0
@Phil_Lewis_ @LowellRoemer She did it for the attention.— MelB 🌟🌟🌟 (@MelB 🌟🌟🌟) 1576630207.0
@Phil_Lewis_ @deepcow I’m so relieved this girl is safe. It was so disturbing to see her abduction live. I pray f… https://t.co/GyTsTMYnEd— ATX Patriot (@ATX Patriot) 1576636578.0
In 24 hours, this case has gone from a frightening abduction to a story of a very troubled young person.