East Ridge Police said a report of a 15-year-old boy who has been a runaway since Feb. 25 being allegedly kidnapped on Sunday night turned out to be bogus.
Officials said, "Stanley Brotherton has been located unharmed in Rhea County.
"The East Ridge Police Department is currently investigating charges of Filing False Police Reports against appropriate individuals in this case.
"The East Ridge Police Department would like to thank the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in this matter."
At about 10:48 p.m., East Ridge Police received a report of an alleged kidnapping having occurred between 9:55 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Stanley Brotherton; the runaway; was reportedly forced into a van parked in a lot at the intersection of Ealy Road and Court Drive by an unidentified suspect.
This information was reported to police by a juvenile friend who was with Brotherton at the time. The friend told police that the suspect also attempted to force him inside the van, but he shoved the attacker away and escaped to the far side of the parking lot.
A witness described the van as tan or gold and with “rusty rims on wheels.” It had no registration tag and was described as having dents. Another witness in the area also saw the van but thought it looked mint green in color. Witnesses described the suspect as a male of light complexion, possibly Hispanic, wearing a black Steelers hat and hoodie, and with black and gray hair and facial hair.