Social Media Influencer Charged After Falsely Claiming Latino Couple Tried To Kidnap Her Children

A “California Karen” is facing charges after making false kidnapping accusations against a Latino couple.

Katie Sorensen, a social media influencer, was charged last Thursday with providing false information to police and giving false information to a police dispatcher. Sorensen told police that an attempted abduction took place outside of Michael’s craft store on December 7th, 2020.

She told authorities that a Hispanic couple made comments regarding her “children’s appearance.” Sorensen claimed the two then followed her to her vehicle and “loitered suspiciously, and then left when noticed by another individual nearby.” Before authorities determined that the woman was lying, images from surveillance video were released to the media.

After reporting the false incident, the woman then posted two Instagram videos detailing the alleged incident. The videos went viral, though the original posts and her Instagram page have since been deleted.

[embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAiY2vmkwWM[/embedyt]

Following the videos, the Petaluma Police Department confirmed that they were investigating whether the claims were false. Sorensen detailed “information that was not disclosed with her original report” when she recorded the clips.

Sadie and Eddie Martinez, the couple at the center of Sorensen’s false allegations, have five children of their own. Sadie said that she was only made aware of the claims when her daughter saw their photos on the news.

“We’re very happy with the news,” Sadie told The Argus-Courier of Petaluma. “It’s a nice step toward justice. It gives you hope.”

Sorensen will be arraigned on May 13th. She is facing a maximum of 12 months in prison.