Jennifer Wilbanks, 32, faces one felony count of making a false statement and one misdemeanor count of making a false police report. She could face up to six years in prison if convicted of both charges, as well as $11,000 in fines. She could also be ordered to reimburse authorities for the cost of the search that was prompted by her disappearance.
I wonder if she would've been charged, if not for the vicarious anger and disappointment of the nation's cable news-watchers? Sure, we can't have people telling the people they've been kidnapped, and she probably deserves it, though maybe she can spend a few months or years in a hospital instead of jail.
Still, the thing that interests me is whether or not this is being done for the sake of people watching news--if a message is being sent, for the sake of not only the viewers' outrage and sense of justice, but to keep others from thinking of this as an easy to get famous...
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