11-year-old inspired by YouTube challenge arrested in abduction hoax, US cops say

The girl was arrested July 26 at her home in Port Orange, while she was still in the process of texting false leads to 911, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. — Image by Freepik

A dramatic child kidnapping case took an unexpected turn in Florida when deputies realised their only witness – an 11-year-old girl – made up the story as part of a YouTube challenge, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

The girl was arrested July 26 at her home in Port Orange, while she was still in the process of texting false leads to 911, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. Port Orange is about 60 miles northeast or Orlando.