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By Pamela Sleezer

American Press

A Leesville woman was taken into custody last week after falsely reporting a homicide and then allegedly hiding marijuana and methamphetamine in the patrol car she was placed in during the investigation, according to authorities.

Judith Smythe, 50, was charged with one count of false communication with the intent to cause an emergency response, one count of possession of marijuana and one count of possession of a Schedule II narcotic (methamphetamine).

According to Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office reports, on May 8 Smythe called VPSO on multiple occasions to report that her daughter had been murdered in front of her. Smythe was located in an RV park in Rosepine and when deputies arrived, she told them that she had recorded the murder with her cell phone. Deputies viewed the recording, which they reported did not show any crime in progress as she had alleged.

Deputies reported that a male occupant of the camper trailer Smythe was located at told deputies that he just met Smythe that night and had no idea what she was talking about.

Deputies also searched the area and did not locate any evidence of a crime. During the investigation, Smythe had been detained and placed in a patrol unit. After the investigation, Smythe was placed under arrest and removed from the unit, but deputies could detect a smell of what they believed was marijuana in the car. When they searched the back seat where Smythe had been, they located a quantity of marijuana and methamphetamine, which Smythe then reportedly admitted to hiding in the car.

Smythe remains in the Vernon Parish Jail with no bond set.