Woman Faces Charge For Lying About Attack

An arrest warrant has been issued for a 20-year-old Boise woman who police say admitted lying about being attacked in October on the Greenbelt.

Kristine Michele Bellis is accused of filing a false report when she told police she had been attacked by a man who pushed her down a ravine, yanked off her boots and jeans and attempted to rape her on Oct. 21.

If convicted of the charge, Bellis could get up to six months in jail and a $300 fine.

“We want to send a message in this case,” Boise Police Lt. Jim Tibbs said. “Normally, we would issue a ticket or a summons, but this was different, especially when you factor in the fear that was already in the community.”

The false report came weeks after police found the body of slain flight attendant Lynn Henneman in the Boise River near the Greenbelt.

Dozens of officers and the task force assembled to investigate the Henneman slaying responded within minutes of hearing Bellis’ story.

“We sent bloodhounds, a number of officers and a helicopter down there,” Tibbs said.

The police department wants the $6,500 it spent to investigate the false report, Tibbs said.

Bellis later recanted her story and told police that she took off her own pants and threw them, along with her cell phone and day planner, in the river before flagging down customers at a nearby restaurant.