http://twitter.com/#!/KaraAlongi/status/252531321614770177

That was the tweet sent out late yesterday afternoon by Kara Alongi, a 16-year-old from New Jersey. It sent shockwaves across the Twitterverse, leading many people to believe that she had been abducted. Her parents had reportedly come home and found her missing.

This is so sad. #helpfindkara http://t.co/134tsMMa

— Ashley Humphrey (@ashleyyisace) October 1, 2012

News of her possible abduction spread like wildfire, and the #helpfindkara sprang up. Many were terrified for Alongi and prayed for her safety:

https://twitter.com/iRealRyan/status/252602792559132672

Now I know why My mom is so overprotective of me. Thank you mom. I'm never ever gonna take that for granted. #helpfindkara #helpfindkara

— Simba (@TheNadji) October 1, 2012

hi you guys, so this is on a serious note: a girl who lives in a town pretty close to mine was kidnapped tonight. please tweet #helpfindkara

— 1D updates (@the1Dscene) October 1, 2012

Just the fact that any of us could be taken so easily, just like that, gives me the chills. #HelpFindKara

— Nylah (@liquidvanilla) October 1, 2012

Retweet! This could save a life! #KaraAlongi #helpfindkara pic.twitter.com/VTVUNeFy

— ʗounɬry Ɗarℓiin (@CountryDarliin) October 1, 2012

https://twitter.com/Sista_Probs/status/252606219364212736

i dont even live in the same state as her, but i cant sleep. this is just not alright #helpfindkara

— brianna (@xMahones_Shawty) October 1, 2012

“@KaraAlongi: There is somone in my hour ecall 911” this tweet literally just sent chills down my spine. #helpfindkara

— du$tin reed (@dustinr3ed) October 1, 2012

I hope everyone draws awareness to this. May God watch over her and somehow find His way into the kidnapper's mind. #HelpFindKara

— Nylah (@liquidvanilla) October 1, 2012

Please God bring @KaraAlongi home safely #findKara #helpfindkara

— Nikai (@nikaiiix3) October 1, 2012

Just a few days earlier, Alongi had sent out this tweet:

https://twitter.com/KaraAlongi/status/251412417987358721

That led some to suspect that she had been abducted by a stalker:

Uhh, this kid better be a suspect #helpfindkara http://t.co/dIDlT5lx

— Carl Jenner (@Agbor_Carl) October 1, 2012

does anyone else find this suspicious though #helpfindkara pic.twitter.com/ArRGtLZy

— mar (@zaynalqueef) October 1, 2012

Really hope the police are looking at this Samuel Guskind kid. #helpfindkara. pic.twitter.com/8x63WzPG

— ☠ sorry not sorry ☠ (@SORRYNOTSOORRY) October 1, 2012

https://twitter.com/NiallsBoy/status/252610937972981760

Shouldn't the police be possibly looking for this Samuel Guskind guy? I mean you never know. #helpfindkara pic.twitter.com/3Ttk2LMY

— Nathaniel (@NathKropp) October 1, 2012

Others weren’t sure whether or not to believe that there had been any foul play:

Wait.. So the #helpfindkara thing was all a lie or not?

— Danny (@Dont_Bitch) October 1, 2012

if this is true then people are fucked up for making heartless statements and jokes, but if it's a lie then kara you're sick. #HelpFindKara

— Lindsay Michelle (@lindsgehl) October 1, 2012

https://twitter.com/ryan_temple/status/252604484923047937

As it turned out, Alongi’s panicked tweet was part of a hoax. She was not abducted, but had, in fact, run away:

Clark Police say 16-year-old Kara Alongi left voluntarily, calling a cab to drop her at the Rahway train station, the local Clark-Garwood Patch reports.

…

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office says a cab driver positively identified Alongi as his passenger and told officials he drove her to the Rahway train station.

…

The prosecutor’s office says Alongi might feel she’ll be in trouble for causing a panic. However, authorities say all everyone cares about is seeing her home safe and sound.

Her whereabouts are still unknown, but wherever she is, she should know that she betrayed hundreds of people across the country.

Twitter users were disgusted that Alongi wasted police resources and preyed upon their sense of compassion. Some people decided to draw attention to what’s really missing:

#helpfindkara a lawyer and some manners too while you're at it #faker

— Drunk Patrick Kane (@Drunk_Kane88) October 1, 2012

#helpfindkara a good lawyer and a better sense of humor

— Megzilla (@megan_clinee) October 1, 2012

#helpfindkara 's dignity

— Mary Magdalene (@tatianavor) October 1, 2012

#helpfindkara a counselor that can stop her from needing so much attention

— David Taulafo (@dtaulafo) October 1, 2012

https://twitter.com/southern_gentTN/status/252872384313430017

https://twitter.com/L4ME_/status/252900358408515584

In light of the thousands of children and young adults who go missing, Alongi’s stunt is particularly despicable. Perhaps when she returns, someone can #helpfindkara a conscience.

#HelpFindKara is ridiculous. Don't play people into thinking you're missing. Some of us have dealt with friends being kidnapped. #GrowUp

— Kayla Fritz (@Miss_Fritz) October 1, 2012

#helpfindkara being able to joke about kidnapping when there's families losing sleep over a loved one missing is sickening #growup

— Bridget Griffin (@b_moneyy20) October 1, 2012

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2012/10/01/sick-teenage-girl-uses-twitter-to-fake-her-abduction/