A Florida woman has been arrested after she allegedly lied about her children’s Christmas gifts being stolen, NBC2 reports.
Authorities in Lee County say 39-year-old Shana Hudson called police in November and claimed that her home in Lehigh Acres, near Fort Myers, had been burglarized.
Hudson allegedly told investigators that among the items stolen were presents she had purchased recently for her kids, which left them without gifts for Christmas, according to WEAR-TV.
In an interview on November 20, Hudson told NBC2 that she believed someone broke into the residence through a window.
“Eight fishing pools, they took some clothes, ’cause I bought clothes for my five kids,” Hudson told the television station. “I wanted my kids to have a pretty much decent Christmas. But now they ain’t going to have Christmas at all, some thief came and stole our s***.”
Hudson then gave a message to the alleged perpetrator: “Turn yourself in and bring us back our stuff so me and my kids can have a good Christmas.”
Detectives later surprised the mom with gifts donated by the American Legion and Lee County Sheriff’s Office Shop with a Cop Fund, according to Fox 13.
But an anonymous tip led investigators to believe Hudson was not burglarized and had lied about the theft. In fact, the sheriff’s office said nearly all the allegedly stolen items were discovered at the home of a relative, including televisions hidden under bed sheets and fishing poles covered by clothes.
Hudson, whom Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno called a “Grinch” in a social media post, has been charged with making a false police report.
“This pathetic behavior is unacceptable, especially given the circumstances this holiday season,” Marceno said. “This woman took advantage of the system and is now paying the price for her selfish choices.”
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[Feature Photo: Shana Hudson/Lee County Sheriff’s Office]
