Pair of St. Louis County women charged with misdemeanor for filing false kidnapping report

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Two women from St. Louis County have been charged after allegedly filing a false kidnapping report that led to an extensive police search for a 5-year-old girl on Monday.

Ashley M. Collins, 29, and Kayla Williams, 31, both of Afton, were charged on Tuesday with a misdemeanor for making a false report, Collins faces and additional charge for misusing "911" services, also a misdemeanor. Both were arrested this afternoon and are being held in the St. Louis County Jail and are being held on $10,000 bonds. Court dates have not been scheduled.

According to a probable cause statement, Collins called 911 on Monday to report that her 2020 Jeep Renegade was stolen with a 5-year-old girl inside. An Amber Alert was issued that afternoon and several resources -- includes a helicopter and drone surveillance and a K-9 search team -- were used. The vehicle was later found around a mile from the house, according to the statement.

During an interview with Collins, she reported that she had temporary guardianship of the child, and that they live with Williams. She alleged that she placed the child in the vehilce and went back inside, when she returned both were gone. Williams gave the same story during her own interview with police.

Upon realizing the vehicle was gone, Collins reportedly took Williams to work in a separate vehicle and called her bank to see if they could locate the car, before calling 911, according to court documents.

Five hours after the initial report, both reportedly admitted that, while the car had been stolen, the kidnapping report was a hoax, court documents say.