Crime & Safety

Kidnapping Hoax Mom to Plead Guilty to Fraud

It is reported that Bonnie Sweeten, who falsely claimed she was abducted from her SUV on a busy Southampton road in 2009, will enter into a plea deal on fraud charges.

A Bucks County woman who claimed both she and her daughter were abducted in Upper Southampton in 2009 was recently back in court. 

The Bucks County Courier Times reports Bonnie Sweeten, 40, plans to enter a guilty plea rather than stand trial on charges she stole $700,000 from her former employer, a Lower Southampton law firm, several of the firm's clients and an elderly relative.

Sweeten, was charged with fraud, identity theft and money laundering in May 2010. She has been held without bail since that time.

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The mother of three, formerly of Feasterville, gained national attention when she called 911 and claimed two black men had carjacked her SUV on Street Road and forced her and her 9-year-old daughter into the trunk of their waiting car.

The FBI discovered Sweeten had taken her daughter and flown to Disney World, where she was later arrested.

Find out what's happening in Upper Southamptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Daily News reports Sweeten could face nine to 10 years behind bars, if she is convicted of all charges.

Read Sweeten's grand jury indictment in the photo section of this article.


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