RALEIGH, N.C. _ A woman and her baby are safe after a 24-hour search and investigation led authorities in North Carolina to realize the whole thing was a ploy for money.
The Scotland County Sheriff's Office on Friday made the announcement Friday night, according to multiple media outlets.
A woman, Danilla Bethea, has been arrested, WTVD-TV, The News & Observer's media partner, reported.
The sheriff's office said Thursday that the mother, known as April Morrison, had been "staying in local motels or hotels, between Richmond County, Scotland County and Fayetteville."
"We know for a fact that the mother and child have been separated," Scotland County Sheriff's Lt. Jessica Sadonikov said during a news conference Friday afternoon.
Sadonikov reportedly said Friday night that the whole thing was made up as a way to get money from donations.
