Teen arrested for claiming false kidnapping

Keidra Kirby, 17, was found safe on the morning of Sunday, April 24, 2016 after her alleged kidnapping on Saturday.

GLENN HEIGHTS — On April 23, 2016, at approximately 7 p.m., the Glenn Heights Police Department received a 911 call that Keidra Kirby, 17, had been kidnapped by three males in a white van.

The abduction had allegedly occurred in the 400 block of Star Gazer in Glenn Heights. Based on the information obtained from witnesses the Glenn Heights Police Department requested that an Amber Alert be activated.

Glenn Heights police officers, investigators, other departments, and the Texas Rangers worked throughout the night and into Sunday morning following up on investigative leads into the alleged kidnapping.

Early Sunday morning, Kirby contacted a family member from a residence in the 3800 block of Gannon in Dallas. The Glenn Heights Police Department was notified of Kirby's location. Investigators from Glenn Heights and the Texas Rangers went to the Gannon address and made contact with Kirby, who appeared to be in good condition.

Kirby was taken to the Glenn Heights Police Department where she was reunited with her family and provided preliminary information to the investigators and the Texas Rangers. That preliminary information provided by Kirby was consistent with the information obtained originally on Saturday evening from the juvenile witnesses. She then went home with her family.

Investigators continued to work each day on the investigation. As the investigation evolved, inconsistencies began to surface. In the days following, the investigators spoke again to the two juvenile witnesses who recanted their original statements regarding the alleged kidnapping.

On Wednesday, April 27, investigators spoke to two adults, Darius Ballard and Andrew Woodrum, who corroborated the juveniles' new statements. Late in the day on Wednesday, investigators spoke again to Kirby.

Kirby, when confronted with conflicting information that had been obtained by investigators, admitted that she was not kidnapped and had left willingly with known persons. The investigation revealed there was never a white van or masked suspects involved in the incident.

On April 28, a False Report to Peace Officer arrested warrant, #M1629732, was issued for Kirby. False Report to a Peace Officer is a Class "B" misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000 and/or confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days.

Kirby was arrested at her residence at 10:13 a.m. She was booked in at the Glenn Heights Police Department and is being transported to the Dallas County Jail where she will be taken before a Magistrate and a bond will be set.