HANCEVILLE – A 20-year-old woman has been arrested and charged after she led authorities on a search and rescue effort Wednesday night in Hanceville that turned out to be based on a false report.
Miranda Noelle Anthony was arrested and charged with filing a false police report and obstructing a governmental operation.
Anthony placed a call to 911 last night and told authorities she was lost in a wooded area and could not find her way out. After searching for several hours, Hanceville police officers were able to track Anthony by the GPS coordinates of her mobile phone, and they found her- inside her home on Edmondson Road.
"The search is over," said Hanceville Police Chief Bob Long very early Thursday morning. "It was a fake incident. (The) subject is alleged to have (a) mental disorder. (The) case is under investigation."
Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail, at tonight's Hanceville City Council meeting, stated that he "expects to ask for restitution" for the costs of the bogus search and rescue efforts.
In all, Nail said around 30 people were involved in searching for Anthony. In addition to local law enforcement, the effort included the use of a state helicopter, three four-wheelers and numerous volunteers. An estimated cost is not yet available.
