PETALUMA, CA — A mother and social media influencer whose Instagram video went viral in December 2020 when she falsely claimed a Petaluma couple tried to kidnap her children at Michael’s store in Petaluma was sentenced to jail time Thursday in Sonoma County on a single count of knowingly making a false report of a crime.
The sentencing hearing for Kathleen Sorenson, 30, formerly of Sonoma, was held Thursday following her conviction in April. Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Laura Passaglia ordered Sorenson to serve 90 days in jail, 60 of which can be served on a work-release program.
Following the sentencing hearing, Sorensen was immediately taken into custody Thursday to begin serving her jail sentence.
Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Judge Passaglia also sentenced Sorensen to 12 months of informal probation during which time Sorenson is ordered to have no social media presence. She must also complete a four-hour implicit bias training, pay various fines and fees, and submit to warrantless search and seizure — including of her electronic devices.
On Dec. 7, 2020, Sorensen went to the Michaels craft store at 1359 N. McDowell Blvd. with her two young children. After purchasing a few items, Sorensen returned to her car, loaded her children into the car and left the Michael’s parking lot. A few minutes later, Sorensen called the Petaluma Police Department and reported that a couple tried to kidnap her children.
Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
About a week later, Sorensen made and published an Instagram video wherein she went into great detail about the near abduction of her young children. There were significant additional details included in her Instagram video that were not disclosed to the Petaluma Police Department. The Instagram video went viral, and Sorensen also went on a local news program to repeat her account.
Click Here: leitrim gaa jerseys
Officers from the Petaluma Police Department followed up with Sorensen. During that interview, Sorensen identified a Petaluma couple from Michaels’ store video as being the perpetrators. Sorensen’s report was determined to be false and resoundingly contradicted by the accused couple as well as the store video that was obtained, the DA’s Office said.
The Petaluma Police Department led the investigation of Sorenson and the case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Robert Waner and District Attorney Investigator Ed Crosby.
“Ms. Sorensen has been held accountable for her crime and we believe the Judge handed down a fair sentence,” Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said. “Our hope is that this measure of accountability will help provide some closure to the couple that was falsely accused of having attempted to kidnap two young children.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.