In a recent incident, an Illinois mother was arrested after falsely claiming that her car was stolen with her child inside. This claim led to an extensive police search, utilizing significant resources. The child was later found safe, and the mother now faces legal consequences for filing a false report.

Incident Details

On January 16, 2025, at approximately 6:07 a.m., 37-year-old Princess Ilunga reported to the Rock Island Police Department that her vehicle had been stolen from the 1300 block of 14th 1/2 Street. She claimed that her 4-year-old daughter, Blessing Aoci, was inside the car at the time of the theft. Ilunga stated that she had left the car running in front of her residence when it was taken.

The stolen vehicle was located around 6:24 a.m. near 8th Street and 15th Avenue. However, Blessing was not found inside. This discovery prompted an extensive nine-hour search involving multiple law enforcement agencies and community members. The search concluded when Blessing was found unharmed outside her residence at 2:53 p.m.

Arrests Made

Following the incident, five individuals were arrested in connection with the vehicle theft and the alleged abduction:

Jaron Bailey-Harris, 18: Charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Juvenile #1, 16-year-old male: Initially charged with kidnapping and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Juvenile #2, 16-year-old male: Charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.

Juvenile #3, 15-year-old female: Charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.

Juvenile #4, 14-year-old female: Charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.

However, Rock Island Police Chief McCloud later announced that the kidnapping charges against the 16-year-old male would be dropped.

Mother’s False Report

Further investigation revealed that Princess Ilunga had fabricated the story about her daughter being in the car during the theft. She not only lied to the police but also coerced her seven children into providing false statements to authorities. As a result, a warrant was issued for Ilunga’s arrest on charges of filing a false police report, a Class 4 felony in Illinois. If convicted, she faces a fine of up to $25,000 and a minimum of one year in jail.

Arrest in Wisconsin

On January 30, 2025, at approximately 5:02 p.m., Ilunga was arrested in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, following a traffic stop by the Wisconsin State Patrol. The stop was initiated due to a suspended registration and an equipment violation. Ilunga was identified as the driver and taken into custody based on the outstanding warrant from Illinois.

At the time of her arrest, Ilunga’s seven children were in the vehicle. They were taken to the Lake Mills Police Department and later released to their father, Richard Aoci, who arrived to take custody at approximately 9:53 p.m.

Ilunga is currently being held at the Jefferson County Jail, awaiting extradition to Illinois to face charges.

Legal Implications of Filing False Reports

Filing a false police report is a serious offense. Such actions can lead to significant legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment. Moreover, false reports divert valuable law enforcement resources from genuine emergencies, potentially putting others at risk.

In a similar case, a Chicago mother was charged with filing a false report after claiming her SUV was stolen with her 7-month-old son inside. The child was later found safe with a babysitter, and the mother admitted to lying to expedite the search for her vehicle.

Community Impact

False reports not only strain police resources but also erode public trust. They can cause unnecessary panic and divert attention from real emergencies. It’s crucial for individuals to provide accurate information to law enforcement to ensure community safety and the effective use of resources.

Conclusion

The case of Princess Ilunga serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of filing false police reports. Such actions have legal repercussions and can negatively impact the broader community. It’s essential to uphold honesty and integrity when interacting with law enforcement agencies.