(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There's a new development in a story earlier this month about a four-year-old girl who became the subject of an Amber Alert after disappearing in what police said was a carjacking in the Quad Cities.
Police now say the whole thing was a hoax.
An Amber Alert was issued on Jan. 16 when Princess Ilunga reported her car was stolen from outside her Rock Island home with her 4-year old daughter, Blessing, still inside.
It wasn't until nine hours later that Blessing was found safe in the alley outside the back door of the family's home.
“By pouring over the body camera footage, we were able to determine that Ms. Ilunga was lying to us from the very beginning.” Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud said.
He says Blessing was at home the whole time.
McCloud said Ilunga has seven children, many close in age and “all with familiar resemblances.”
An arrest warrant has since been issued for Ilunga, charging her with one felony count of filing a false police report.
She remains at large.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Bluesky