A Monterey Heights Elementary School student's claim of being grabbed by a would-be abductor near the campus Tuesday prompted an intensive search of the area until the boy admitted to making up the story.
The 9-year-old went to an administration office at the Lemon Grove primary school shortly before 3 p.m. to report the supposed crime, saying he had managed to break free from the assailant's grasp and escape, according to sheriff's officials.
Deputies fanned out through the area in search of the purported kidnapper, Lt. Jason Vickery said.
Several hours later, the child admitted that the abduction attempt had not occurred, the lieutenant said. The boy's motivation for lying was not immediately clear.