Kathleen Sorensen: 'Mom influencer' convicted of falsely accusing Latino couple of kidnapping
SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Kathleen Sorensen has been convicted of making a false report of a crime in the 2020 case. An influencer mother from California has claimed a Latino couple tried to kidnap her children, as per authorities. She is taken into custody after a jury returned a guilty verdict this week. The Sonoma County District Attorney’s office in a press release informed that her bail was set at $100,000.
"This verdict will enable us to hold Sorensen accountable for her crime, while at the same time helping to exonerate the couple that was falsely accused of having attempted to kidnap two young children. The case is also important in that it illustrates the importance of using social media responsibly,” said District Attorney Rodriguez. The incident was reported on December 7, 2020, where it was stated that a Petaluma couple attempted to abduct her two young children at Michael’s craft store, as per People.
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'Sorensen’s report was determined to be false'
“After purchasing a few items, Ms Sorensen returned to her car, loaded her children into the car, and left Michael’s parking lot. A few minutes later Ms Sorensen called the Petaluma Police Department and reported that a couple had tried to kidnap her children,” stated the press release.
Around a week later Sorensen shared a detailed account of the incident via Instagram post where she also disclosed information that she didn't share with the authorities about the attempted kidnapping. The Instagram video went viral and she even visited a local news channel to share her account. “Officers from the Petaluma Police Department followed up with Ms Sorensen. During that interview, Ms Sorensen identified a Petaluma couple from Michael’s store video as being the perpetrators. Ms Sorensen’s report was determined to be false and was resoundingly contradicted by the accused couple as well as store video that was obtained” revealed the press release.
'Sorenson can face up to 6 months in prison'
A sentencing date is not announced yet by the court, whereas the maximum sentencing for a misdemeanor conviction is six months in prison. As per court documents, the case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Robert Waner and District Attorney Investigator Ed Crosby.