‘Missing’ Bronx Teen Staged Her Kidnapping To Escape ‘Overprotective Mother’

A 16-year-old girl, who was "kidnapped" in her mother's presence on Monday from a street in New York City, admitted to police Tuesday that she staged it, police said.

Karol​ Sanchez was walking with her mother in the Melrose section of the Bronx near 775 Eagle Ave. at 11:30 p.m. EST Monday when four men in a sedan pulled up near them, grabbed Sanchez and shoved her inside a car. When her mother tried to resist, she was pushed to the ground and the car sped off. She didn’t sustain any serious injuries.

The New York Police Department released a blurry surveillance video footage of the incident and put out a statewide Amber Alert on Tuesday morning. The police department offered up to $2,500 worth of reward for any tips that could help locate Sanchez.

Sanchez turned herself to police at 2:30 p.m. EST Tuesday soon after the teen and the suspects realized that their stunt made headlines. Police declared later that Sanchez was located and she was “safe and unharmed.”

Detectives interviewed Sanchez at the 40th Precinct stationhouse after she surrendered. She revealed that the four persons involved in her "kidnapping" actually were her friends and she staged the entire mission to escape her “overprotective” mother, CBS New York reported.

Sanchez’s mother apparently was planning to move the family to their native Honduras but the teen wanted to stay in the United States. Police believe this could be a reason that triggered her to set stage the kidnapping, The New York Times reported.

Sanchez was allowed to go with her family after police inquiry. Officers are reportedly considering whether or not to charge Sanchez or her accomplices.