Judge: Mom in kidnapping hoax faces stiff sentence
Sweeten set for sentencing Thurs
A mother who staged a hoax carjacking before flying to Disney World should expect a "significant" prison term for swindling huge sums of money from her ex-boss and a relative, a judge said Thursday.
Bonnie Sweeten, of Feasterville, Bucks Co., stole $ 1 million and should spend 10 years in prison, federal prosecutors said.
The defense is challenging the fraud total at Thursday's sentencing hearing. The sentencing will take more than a day.
The white mother of three triggered a national search when she called 911 in 2009 and said she and her 9-year-old had been kidnapped by two black men and stuffed in a trunk. She then took her daughter to Orlando, Fla.
Sweeten served a year in state prison for the hoax. She said her life unraveled amid marital and financial stresses.
- Copyright 2012 WFMZ. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
CNN Reports on McCain Supporter Attack Hoax

Video Rating: 4 / 5
Fraudulent Stories Here