toledoblade.com --

A former Toledo lawyer was sentenced to two years probation in Toledo Municipal Court Wednesday morning for making up a story about being kidnapped.

Visiting Judge David Faulkner also ordered Karyn McConnell Hancock, 35, of 2663 West Village Drive, to a suspended three month jail sentence, a $300 fine, and 40 hours of community service for a misdemeanor conviction of making false alarms.

Ms. McConnell Hancock, who pleaded guilty to the charge in January, could have faced up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.

The case stems from a story she fabricated of being kidnapped from downtown Toledo and dumped off in Georgia.

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Before being sentenced, Ms. McConnell Hancock apologized to law enforcement officials involved in her search and to the public.

"I ask for their forgiveness for my actions for all the pain and inconvenience I caused," she said. "I hope they are able to find it in their hearts to forgive me."

Judge Faulkner noted that Ms. McConnell Hancock has no prior criminal history and appeared to be remorseful for her actions. But the judge also stressed she was an attorney and in a position "to know better" when she faked her own kidnapping.

"While there was no physical harm or physical damage, there was economical loss to taxpayers," Judge Faulkner said.

Ms. McConnell Hancock, who is the daughter of Toledo Municipal Court Judge C. Allen McConnell, also in January admitted guilt in an unrelated matter in Lucas County Probate Court involving the embezzlement of more than $130,000 from the estate of a murdered Toledo city worker. Similar accusations from other clients are pending against her, and the Lucas County prosecutor’s office continues to investigate theft claims.

Ms. McConnell Hancock and her attorney, Jerome Phillips, are scheduled to meet with investigators and county prosecutors Tuesday to discuss the theft and forgery charges against her. Mr. Phillips said Ms. McConnell Hancock has agreed to answer any questions authorities have regarding the embezzlement.

Before her municipal court arraignment in January, Mr. Phillips said his client also had signed a letter stating her intention to resign as an attorney. It was sent to the Ohio Supreme Court.

She was seven months pregnant when she went missing for three days in December. A national search ensued, and local family members and friends held prayer vigils hoping for her safe return.

When she was found near an amusement park outside of Atlanta, she told authorities she had been kidnapped near the juvenile court building in downtown Toledo and driven south. She later recanted her story.

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