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Johnstown Woman Pleads Guilty To Falsely Reporting Kidnapping

Rachael Mattice

A Johnstown woman who disappeared last summer and claimed she was kidnapped, setting off a massive search effort, has pleaded guilty to falsely reporting an incident.

25-year-old Rachael Mattice was reported missing  after disappearing from her family's Hamilton County camp on June 22nd, 2016. She reappeared near her family home in Johnstown two weeks later.

Police said Mattice, who was being investigated for drug theft, made the incident up. Police said the cost of the search effort was in the "six-figures."

The Leader-Herald reports Mattice must spend a month of weekends in jail, do 100 hours of community service, and be on probation for three years.

Lucas Willard is a news reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011. He produces and hosts The Best of Our Knowledge and WAMC Listening Party.
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