McDonald woman charged after telling mother she was kidnapped

A McDonald woman is facing charges after PA State Police say she told her mother she had been kidnapped and needed money.

Investigators say 42-year-old Erica Bardell told her 70-year-old mother that she was being held against her will over Valentine's Day weekend, and needed money transferred so she would be released.

Police say Bardell admitted she was never in danger and was trying to get money.

Bardell is charged with theft by deception and financial exploitation for allegedly defrauding her mother out of $1,400.