At a press conference in Latham Saturday morning, New York State Police and Hamilton County officials said 24-year-old Rachael Mattice has been charged with falsely reporting an incident, a misdemeanor, related to her disappearance June 23rd.
Mattice was missing for two weeks until her return to her Johnstown home on July 6th . She had claimed she was abducted while on a camping trip in Hamilton County and held in a small shed against her will.
After an extensive search that officials said cost "well into the six figures," a witness identified Mattice after reportedly giving her a ride from a trailhead to a seasonal camp owned by the boyfriend of Mattice's aunt.
Officials said Mattice's account was "all made up" but that she is sticking with her abduction story. Before disappearing, Mattice was under investigation theft of prescription drugs. No other charges have been filed at this time.
