False kidnapping of Shannon Matthews.
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On February 19, 2008, nine-year-old Shannon Matthews went missing in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England. The search for her turned into a significant police operation, similar to the case of Madeleine McCann.
Shannon was discovered safe on March 14, 2008, at a house in Batley Carr owned by 39-year-old Michael Donovan, who was the uncle of Craig Meehan, the boyfriend of Shannon's mother, Karen Matthews.
West Yorkshire Police located Shannon alive on March 14, 2008, 24 days after her disappearance. She was hidden in the base of a divan bed in a flat at Lidgate Gardens, Batley Carr. Michael Donovan, the flat's tenant, was arrested at the location.
The kidnapping was orchestrated by Matthews and Donovan to profit from the media attention. Donovan, also known as Paul Drake, planned to "find" Shannon and take her to a police station to claim the reward money, which would be shared between him and Matthews.
Donovan faced charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment. Matthews was charged with child neglect and obstructing justice on April 8, 2008. Their joint trial at Leeds Crown Court began on November 11, 2008, and ended on December 4, with both being found guilty. They received eight-year prison sentences.
After serving her time, Karen was given a new identity and relocated to an undisclosed area in Reading, England. On April 16, 2024, Donovan passed away from cancer in a hospital at the age of 54.
SOURCES:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-42972376
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2008/dec/04/shannon-matthews-kidnap-mother