Mom of Missing Toddler Arrested

Megan Boswell, charged with false reports, implicates her own mom
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 26, 2020 7:27 AM CST
Mom of Missing Toddler Arrested
This undated photo released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shows Evelyn Mae Boswell. Megan Boswell, the mother of the 15-month-old Tennessee girl, has been charged with false reports.   (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation via AP, File)

The conflicting statements offered by the mother of a Tennessee toddler last seen in December but only reported missing a week ago have led to an arrest. Megan Boswell, mother of 15-month-old Evelyn Boswell, was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of false reports, according to the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office. Capt. Andy Seabolt tells CNN that the 18-year-old gave "a number of conflicting statements," some of which have been found to be false. In a Tuesday Facebook message, Megan Boswell told WJHL she was unable to take a polygraph test because she is pregnant—though the sheriff's office doesn't use a polygraph. A day earlier, Megan told the outlet she'd been trying to protect her mother, Angela Boswell, who was supposed to be babysitting Evelyn when she last saw her before Christmas.

Megan, who identifies as gypsy, said she knew something was wrong when her mother "took off and just didn't answer her phone." But she said Angela Boswell had taken Evelyn to a campground in Mendota, Va., where she could be found in "a silver camper." She said she hadn't told authorities earlier because "my mom did threaten me like, you know, if I told anybody." Authorities, however, say they've checked the campground and there's no sign of Evelyn. Megan Boswell remained in custody Tuesday night on a $25,000 bond, per the Knoxville News Sentinel. Angela Boswell, 42, and William McCloud, 33, are also in custody following their Feb. 21 arrest in North Carolina, where they were pulled over in a reportedly stolen BMW. The Sentinel also mentions "fugitive warrants." Angela Boswell has since been returned to Sullivan County. (More missing child stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X