Winnemucca Police are now saying that a call they received prompting a search for two potentially endangered children appears to be an elaborate hoax.
In a release, the Police Department says they got a call on Saturday, January 6th from a woman claiming to be suicidal. The caller claimed to be in Winnemucca and have two children with her.
Over the next 42 hours, members of the Winnemucca Police Department, with assistance from Humboldt County Sheriff’s Dispatch, worked to identify, locate, and check the welfare of the woman and the children.
As of Monday, January 8th, police were still unsure if the mother and children are in the Winnemucca area or if they even in fact exist.
During the call with the woman, she refused to provide details of her location that could be verified, or details about herself and her children that could be verified.
The caller sent the Department three photos of children they posted on social media to discover their identity and possible location.
The Department still doesn't know who the children are or if they are in any kind of danger, but indicated in a release that they believe the call and everything that followed from the caller was an elaborate hoax.
"The motivation is unknown, but numerous Officers and Dispatchers worked around the clock to attempt to aid a caller who claimed to be in distress," said the Winnemucca Police Department in a press release.
The department will be turning over information gathered in their investigation to the FBI.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The Winnemucca Police Department is asking for help finding two children they believe might be endangered.
In a post on Facebook, Winnemucca Police said they are trying to locate and check the welfare of two children possibly named Evelin and Rosie Williams.
Their mother could possibly be going by Isabella or Bella Williams.
If you know anything about them or have any information that could help you are urged to call Humboldt County Dispatch at (775) 623-6429.
