LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – A warrant has been issued for runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks (search), but officials don't expect her to report to police while undergoing psychiatric treatment.
The warrant was issued Thursday, the day after a grand jury indicted her on a felony charge of making a false statement and a misdemeanor count of making a false police report.
Since her return to Georgia from New Mexico, she has entered into psychiatric treatment. Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter (search) said he will wait until she completes treatment before asking her to turn herself in.
"The earliest I would expect anything to happen would be the first of next week," Porter said. He has not ruled out a plea agreement in the case.
The charges stem from her claim she had been kidnapped when she disappeared April 26, four days before her planned wedding. She quickly recanted the story and instead said she abruptly left town because of unspecified personal reasons.
The disappearance prompted a large police and civilian search, as well as national media attention.
She could face up to six years in prison if convicted of both charges, as well as $11,000 in fines. She could also be ordered to reimburse authorities for the cost of the search, which has been tallied at more than $50,000.
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