Fort Wayne residents got emergency alerts sent to their phones Monday night about a missing 12-year-old girl. There was just one problem: she wasn’t missing.
Police had sent the wrong alert, and followed it up shortly with the correct one, about a 12-year-old boy instead. The girl’s mother, Maretta Ayabarreno, tells Fort Wayne’s ABC 21 she panicked at first.
“Instantly tears, instantly worry. I called the godmom who they’re staying with and I’m like what’s wrong? Why are they issuing this and why don’t I know?” she said.
Police say they’re looking into what happened.
The missing boy was also found, but tragically has since died. Police do not suspect foul play in that case.