Published: January 23, 2010 10:03 am      

Police: Ga. 14-year-old lied about sex assault

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — Columbus police say a 14-year-old girl’s report that she was sexually assaulted near a school bus stop on Jan. 14 was false.

Columbus Police Chief Ricky Boren urged residents to consider some of the “positives” Friday that came out of the ordeal, such as neighbors working together to protect their children.

Boren said residents always should be wary of crime, but police now do not believe another man is stalking school children here.

The 14-year-old’s report was particularly disturbing because a 12-year old was abducted while walking to school on Jan. 6 and sexually assaulted in a park restroom.

Investigators arrested a 20-year-old man in that case, and they are following up on other reports in which he could have been involved.