AMBER Alerts pose an intriguing dilemma for Las Medias. In searching for someone who is missing, it's of great benefit to have a PICTURE of the missing person. Further, it helps to have a NAME and an accurate description.

The conundrum occurs if it eventually turns out that the abductee is raped. Because news organizations usually bleat about their policies of not ID-ing a rape vic, especially if the vic is a minor, they are then faced with having to withdraw the picture and name of that vic and ask everyone to forget that they know who she is and what she looks like.

This happened in the case of the two teens who were abducted and sexually assaulted before the gendarmes gunned the perp down.

So has that specter now caused news orgs NOT to ID a possible AMBER alert vic? And if so, isn't that rather counter-productive in helping the public find the gal as quickly as possible?

Michael

Boy Makes-Up Vallejo Kidnapping Story

It's Not Known What Motivated Boy To Lie

POSTED: 4:00 PM PST November 6, 2003

UPDATED: 4:15 PM PST November 6, 2003

VALLEJO, Calif. -- The Vallejo Police Department reported they have information that the alleged kidnapping at Borges and Christopher is "unfounded and did not occur."

Detectives say the 12-year-old boy who told police that he witnessed the abduction fabricated the story. During a follow-up interview by police, he admitted to not telling the truth and not seeing a girl dragged into a truck.

There are no indications as to what motivated the boy to make-up the story of seeing a teenage girl being abducted by a man in a black pickup truck.

The case has been referred to the Vallejo Police Probation Team. No immediate arrests have been made.

Previous Stories:

November 6, 2003: AMBER Alert Issued For Possible Abduction Victim
November 5, 2003: Police: Vallejo Girl May Have Been Kidnapped