Minnesota Prairie Roots

Police identify this jacket, found in a Faribault park, as that of the missing chocolate bunny.

Breaking news…

In a stunning development today, authorities investigating the possible abduction of a chocolate bunny in Faribault say the entire incident was a hoax.

The woman who reported her rabbit missing has confessed to making up the story in an effort to attract attention to her writing, says Faribault Police Chief Dan McGregor. He refused to identify the Faribault writer because she has not been arrested.

A break in the case came when the woman’s husband approached police. “He told us he didn’t think his wife’s story was funny,” McGregor says. “He had gone along with the ploy, but was worried about the implications of falsely reporting a crime.”

McGregor confirms that the woman and her husband could face possible charges pending results of the investigation.

Investigators have determined that the woman’s husband made the initial threat against the chocolate bunny. They are still checking into whether the couple’s daughter was also involved in the hoax.

An unidentified police source verifies that the discovery of a shiny gold, ankle-length coat and floral necklace in a city park are that of the missing chocolate bunny. Forensics experts are now testing DNA samples taken from the clothing and the jewelry.

The source also states that it is likely the woman ate the chocolate bunny. If that proves true, he adds that she could be charged with eating too much chocolate in the weeks following Easter. She could also be charged with littering.

The woman, whom we are not identifying because she has not been arrested, released this statement through her attorney, Allen T. Urd: “I accept full responsibility for my actions and sincerely apologize to anyone, including my husband, who did not see the humor in this story. Sometimes my imagination carries me away, especially since I am a big fan of mystery books.

“I will also be seeking treatment for my chocolate addiction.”

© Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling

(Author’s note:  Any similarities between the above fictional blog post and reality may or may not be intentional.)

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS investigating threats against a chocolate bunny in Faribault now report a possible abduction in the case.

Just this afternoon, the Faribault Police Department and the Minnesota Special Forces Unit issued a joint statement saying they found evidence that Zachary Rabbit has been kidnapped.

Police released this photo of an empty candy box linked to the disappearance. Investigators offered no details, but unidentified sources confirm the evidence was found in a backyard near Wapacuta Park.

Police released this photo showing evidence in the possible abduction of Zachary Rabbit.

While police remain mostly tight-lipped, Special Forces Unit Commander White Rabbit verifies that a third threat was received today via the internet. According to him, the text stated: “Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. You totally deserved it.”

Computer forensic experts have traced the message to an IP address in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Authorities there are now involved and the FBI has been contacted to aid in the investigation.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Zachary Rabbit, who weighs two ounces and was last seen wearing a shiny gold, ankle-length coat and a floral necklace, contact your nearest law enforcement agency.

A recent photo of Zachary Rabbit.

© Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling