UPDATE: HOAX! Cops Say She Lied! -- Teen Girl Assaulted Walking From School Tuesday in Santa Cruz County

UPDATE: Thursday, March 20, 12:45 p.m.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office reported this afternoon that a teen girl, who told law enforcement that she was assaulted on her walk from school Tuesday afternoon in the Felton area, was lying.
"We just again interviewed our teen victim ... and she has now recanted her previous story due to inconsistencies," said a department spokesperson. "Looks like it was a hoax."
The purported fabrication by the 15-year-old sent deputies on high alert and extra patrols, and even involved her high school's administration in the investigation.

The department apologized for sending the news release to the community, adding, the officers "wanted to get the info out there quickly." 

No additional details are available. 

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Thursday, March 20, 10 a.m.

A 15-year-old girl was reportedly assaulted Tuesday afternoon by an unknown man as she walked home from school in the Felton area, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.

The teen was walking at 4:30 p.m. from San Lorenzo Valley High School on El Soyo Heights Drive in Felton when a male came up from behind her and grabbed her by her sweatshirt, police said.

The girl pulled her arms out of her sweatshirt and broke free from the suspect's grip, but he then grabbed her by her shirt, police said.

She twisted out of her shirt, and ran from the man until she was able to contact friends and call the Sheriff's Office, police said.

The suspect was described by the victim as about 6 feet tall with a medium build, and wearing a long-sleeve, black sweatshirt, police said.

Deputies are conducting extra patrols in the area and working with the San Lorenzo Valley High School staff, but know of no other events related to this incident.

Anyone with information on the case or a possible suspect is encouraged to call the department at (831) 454-1211.