Columbus police say a woman who told police her car was stolen with her four-year-old daughter inside made that portion up so officers would find her stolen car more quickly.
22-year-old Jessica Pickett faces a misdemeanor falsification charge.
Police say Pickett told officers that she'd placed her daughter in the car and went back inside to get something when the car was stolen.
Police say Franklin County Children's Services has taken the girl and her two siblings into protective custody.
Pickett’s call to police prompted a region-wide Amber Alert on Monday.
Her car was later found and a man was arrested and charged with grand theft auto.
