‘Kidnapping’ herself may cost runaway bride her freedom

THE bride-to-be who skipped town just days before her lavish wedding was indicted on charges she told police a phony story about being kidnapped and sexually assaulted.

Jennifer Wilbanks, 32, was charged with making a false statement and making a false police report. She could get up to six years behind bars and €8,790 in fines if convicted.

She could also be ordered to reimburse authorities for the over €39,970 cost of the search set off by her disappearance.

“At some point you just can’t lie to the police,” said District Attorney Danny Porter.

Probably arrangements will be made for her to turn herself in, the district attorney said.

Wilbanks’ family has said she checked into a medical facility for treatment of “physical and mental issues.”

Wilbanks, a nurse, disappeared on April 26, four days before her 600-guest wedding.

She took a bus to Las Vegas and then Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she called authorities with a story about having been abducted. But under questioning, she recanted.

She returned to Georgia on April 30, the day she was to have been married in a ceremony with 14 bridesmaids and 14 groomsmen.

Several state and county agencies have already said they will not ask Wilbanks to reimburse them for nearly €8,000 in search costs.

Wilbanks has offered to pay €10,591 to the city of Duluth to help offset the costs of its three-day search. Mayor Shirley Lassetter said the city is prepared to accept that offer if it is made in writing, and would write off the remaining €24,000 or so.