False Reporting

Faking a report of a missing child is no laughing matter, as a man in Burlington, Vermont found out recently. From Boston.com:

Burlington police say a 28-year-old man is in jail after being charged with making a false report about an abducted child.

Jeremiah Smith of South Burlington was arrested Sunday.

Officers from at least five agencies scoured a section of Burlington late Saturday and went door to door looking for information after receiving the report of the possible abduction.

But no one was reported missing and police said they had only one witness to the alleged abduction.

If convicted of the crime of false public alarm, Smith could be sentenced to up to two years in prison.

No word on when Smith will make his first court appearance.