Shawnee Lone-Eagle, 24, of New Haven, was caught shoplifting by store employees at Walmart in Fair Haven, Connecticut.
She told police she and her 7-year-old daughter had been kidnapped by a white man she didn't know while walking in the Fair Haven section of the city, and he was forcing her to shoplift for him.
She gave a detailed description of the man, claiming he was holding her daughter in a black sedan outside and that if she didn't take the items, he threatened to drive off with the child, according to police.
Officers responded and began searching the area as Lone-Eagle identified a black car on video leaving the lot as the one with her daughter.
Officers reviewed surveillance footage and found that Lone-Eagle arrived alone, contradicting her claims of arriving in the black car with her daughter.
"Her story changed several times until she admitted that she falsified the entire incident and became uncooperative," police said in a statement.
Police confirmed that the child was safe and wasn't involved in the incident.
Lone-Eagle was taken into custody and charged with first-degree falsely reporting an incident, misuse of the 911 system, interfering with police, and sixth-degree larceny. There was also an outstanding warrant for her arrest.
She was held on $5,000 bond.