Reported sexual assault near Eastern Michigan University was fabricated, Ypsilanti police say
A woman who reported she was sexually assaulted this morning in a wooded area off Green Road near the Eastern Michigan University campus made up the story, authorities said.
"She recanted her story," said Ypsilanti police Lt. Amy Walker. "It didn't happen."
Police continue to investigate and have not decided whether to file charges. The 8:30 a.m. report prompted concerns among some who were walking in the area.
The woman reported the incident occurred on Green Road off LeForge Road.
EMU junior Lauren Quaintance, who stayed in the neighborhood last night at a friend's house and was walking to class, said it was scary to hear such an incident was reported near campus.
"I probably won't be walking over here anymore, at least by myself," she said.
Police did not release details today on what the woman reported or the possible motive for fabricating the story.
Following the report, officers treated the entire area around Peninsular Park as a crime scene.
Walker said police responded as they would to any reported sexual assault. She did not provide further details.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at leehiggins@annarbor.com or 734-623-2527.
Comments
DadooS
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 2:54 p.m.
pegret - Thanks for the apt posting. I've since heard the situation is complex. My only concern was the story spinning in a way to make the events seem innocuous.
pegret
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 2:30 p.m.
With all due respect to Lt. Amy Walker, and fellow commentors, just because the young woman recanted, does not necessarily mean that "it didn't happen", or that a crime did not take place. Unfortunately, we've had a few false reports in this area lately, but there are sometimes reasons that a victim will recant their story, often out of fear of retaliation or some other unfortunate reason. From other articles, it sounds pretty likely that something bad happened to this woman.
DadooS
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 10:31 a.m.
I'm acquainted with the person who called 911 in this case. This women came out of the forest bloodied, half naked, and hysterical. Her recanting does not mean something very bad did not happen. It is dangerously misleading for this incident to be presented otherwise.
KeepingItReal
Tue, Oct 20, 2009 : 7:38 a.m.
In Washtenaw County, assualt is taken as a very serious matter especially against females. For someone to make a false accusations about rape can cause serious repercussions to someone who may be on the false end of such a report. I would personally like to know who these individuals are so that I and my friends can stay the hell away from them.
miradee4
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 11:01 p.m.
I saw two police cars (well one was a suv) go to this area right after I dropped my kids off at daycare. I wondered what was going on back there, as it seems like an area where something disturbing could occur. I agree that these false claims need to stop.
bunnyabbot
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 8:44 p.m.
i think theres a troll posting agian
mercury69
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 7:09 p.m.
Why are these women lying? What the hell are they trying to accomplish by this?? It is just destroying he image of a decent University...yes it's in Ypsilanti and yes...Ypsilanti has it's issues...However...these False claims just further tarnish the reputation, and these "people" I hope will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and will be beaten with heavy sticks by people who really care what happens in the community!
Ignatz
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 4:49 p.m.
my original post was made before the story changed to where she confessed to making it up. She's not helping those who are actually assaulted by doing so. It gives people the idea that the victim is lying for one reason or another. I hope the police are considering pressing charges.
Mumbambu, Esq.
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 1:56 p.m.
Rizzle - I understand your point but I don't think that it is REALLY the case for a smaller force like that of Ypsilanti. If you eliminated every single false report the City of Ypsilanti had to investigate, I'd doubt we'd be "able" to eliminate more positions. Time after time, people vote to extend or increase funding for law enforcement. Any reduction in strain on the law enforcement system would just go towards reallocating resources, it would not be given back to the tax payers. If you could eliminate all false reports in a City like NY perhaps, then I think your more likely to be able to reduce the numbers of your force.
dading dont delete me bro
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 1:50 p.m.
these fabricated stories need to be prosecuted! this is a black eye for emu (off campus, but supposedly involved a student). emu has enough problems trying to get students to come. ypsilanti doesn't need this b.s. either
a2zoo
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 1:44 p.m.
I agree, the answer to all of this is that everyone should be running around protecting themselves by packing firearms. That would really make things safer, and a lot more interesting. I mean, instead of all the fabrications, maybe something would actually happen.
Rizzle
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 1:39 p.m.
"As far as the "cost to taxpayers" for something like this. Let's remember the police were already working. There really isn't any "increase" in cost to tax payers. It's just other work that isn't getting done. This argument goes the other way too, it doesn't really "cost" the City of AA the 30 or 40 thousand to create the searchable email database, its just resources that won't go towards other important projects." It definitely has a true cost. A certain percentage of reported crimes are false, therefore that many more officers are needed to cover false reports. If there were fewer false reports, we would need fewer cops. Anyone filing a false report should be charged for the officer's direct labor and any administrative overhead. All that is taxpayer funded.
Mumbambu, Esq.
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 1:31 p.m.
Top Cat - My count is three AA.com articles as well: this, the other in the EMU parking lot and the one at the CVS off S. Main. Although this was the only one of the three that was an alleged sexual assault. As far as the "cost to taxpayers" for something like this. Let's remember the police were already working. There really isn't any "increase" in cost to tax payers. It's just other work that isn't getting done. This argument goes the other way too, it doesn't really "cost" the City of AA the 30 or 40 thousand to create the searchable email database, its just resources that won't go towards other important projects. Jim Carey once said "STOP BREAKING THE LAW A&% *&O%$!"
treetowncartel
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 1:28 p.m.
I think it should be nioted that the earlier posts were here before the story was updated, informing everyone that it was a hoax.
John Galt
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 1:27 p.m.
They need to prosecute these false police reports. Resources are limited as it is, we do not need police time wasted by these cranks.
toadsan
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 1:24 p.m.
Ricebrnr I'm assuming you mean allowing concealed carry on university campuses? I agree with you. The amount of incidents is only going to increase because of the desperation created by a 20% national employment rate.
djm12652
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 12:59 p.m.
Seriously...you did read the article that said she "MADE IT UP", right? I'd say the woman was trying to either get some attention, or take the focus off of what she had done by making up this fake attack.
Hilderomeo
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 12:41 p.m.
Where are you all coming from? Are you nuts?? Yes, I agree there are areas ALL individuals should be aware of walking alone, however, this student FABRICATED her story! What for? Attention? She took a number of police officers I'm assuming not only from the Ypsilanti Police Dept., but possibly also the EMU police department to conduct an investigation which was not necessary! She broke the law, cost the taxpayers untold monies, probably pulled officers off other calls and/or assignments, not to mention put fear into other students, and non-students and once again for what? There lately have been too many "reports" of rapes, sexual assaults, etc. that never happened. These individuals should be charged and learn to accept the consequences for their actions. They were dishonest, lied and untruthful.
lavendar_mocha
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 12:05 p.m.
Actually 70% of sexual assaults occur by someone that the victim knows, the majority of the assaults are in the victim or perpetrators homes. The reality is that staying away from "unsafe" situations does not guarantee that you will not be sexually assaulted. These "safety tips" have not been shown to reduce sexual assaults, rather they perpetuate the myth that women must do things to keep themselves safe and if they do not it's their fault. I appreciate that you are trying to not excuse the criminal, however the statement is still victim blaming. I do agree the reality is that we live in a world where all people must be aware of their surroundings, not just women.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 11:28 a.m.
Sure would be nice if college students and employees would be allowed to protect themselves. As it stands now in and around all campuses criminals have the advantage. Repeal all Criminal Empowerment Zones and give law abiding citizens an equal chance at self preservation.
Ignatz
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 10:38 a.m.
I see women, especially coeds, walking in what I consider to be dangerous situations way too often. I wish folks would be more aware of what they're doing. This is not to excuse the criminal, but rather reduce the chance of an attack.