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Woman Admits Child Abuse Claims False, Deputies Say

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By LISA A. DAVIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 26, 2007

PORT RICHEY - The call went into a child abuse hot line on Monday, reporting that a 4-year-old was being abused at a local child care facility.

The woman identifying herself only as Victoria said her nephew, Charles Gibson, had been hurt at FootPrints PreSchool & Child Care Center, according to a Pasco County Sheriff's Office report. But investigators quickly learned it was a ruse.

Victoria Boekeloo, 19, of 8637 Paxton Drive was arrested Wednesday morning at her home on a charge of filing a false child abuse report, a third-degree felony.

Boekeloo was fired from FootPrints on Oct. 19, the report states.

'It looks like it was retaliation,' said Pasco sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll.

A woman who identified herself as the manager of the New Port Richey school said she could not talk about the incident.

According to deputies, Boekeloo admitted making the fake call.

'I lied. I don't have a nephew and there's no Charles Gibson,' she said, according to the report.

She was released from the Land O' Lakes jail Wednesday after posting $5,000 bail.

'I'm not telling you anything,' Boekeloo said when reached by phone Thursday.

It wasn't clear why she was fired.

After the call was made to the hot line affiliated with the state Department of Children & Families, the information was forwarded to Pasco Child Protection investigators, who started their inquiry Wednesday.

The director of FootPrints told investigators Boekeloo's employment had just been terminated, Doll said.

DCF spokesman Andy Ritter said this scenario is unusual.

'Not too often do you have an example of a case like you told me when you have a malicious false allegation,' Ritter told a Pasco Tribune reporter. 'Most of the allegations we get are in the heat of a custody battle.'

Ritter stressed that people who suspect abuse happening should report it. If investigators do not find evidence of abuse, they will not be arrested.

'There's a difference in making an allegation that is malicious, or one that's simply not true,' he said.

He encouraged anyone who suspects abuse to call the hot line at 1-800-96-ABUSE (2-2873).

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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