Report of Rape Was a Hoax

A 14-year-old girl who told police that she was abducted from Jesse Owens Park in South-Central Los Angeles and raped at gunpoint by three men apparently made up the story to avoid punishment from her mother for staying out late, authorities said Friday.

“The [girl] admitted she made up the entire incident and that it never occurred,” said LAPD Det. Richard McCauley, who added that the girl may face charges of falsifying a police report.

The widely publicized story that a young black girl had been whisked away Monday in broad daylight by three Latino men caused widespread concern in the community and scared many people away from the park. On Friday afternoon, a smattering of adults and children visiting the park said they were relieved that the story was not true.

“When I heard we were going to Jesse Owens Park today, I said: ‘Oh no! Why?’ ” said Kaleah Wall, 10, who was stunned by the news that the story was fabricated. Her fear quickly turned to skepticism. “You know, when I heard she was taken in broad daylight, I kinda thought it was strange,” she said.

Sherann Johnson, 27, who was watching her children and nieces play on the swings, said the reported rape had shocked the neighborhood. “Most people stopped coming here,” she said. “I think she should be punished. She really scared a lot of people.”

At a high school graduation ceremony in Watts, there was a similar reaction of relief and anger.

“I’m glad it didn’t happen but she could have ruined people’s lives over that lie,” said construction worker Kenny Escoe. “There is enough tension between the black and Latin community already. We don’t need any lies like this.”