SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Reports of a kidnapped 14-year-old girl in the Savannah area turned out to be a hoax.

Police began searching for Michelle Smith after her 12-year-old cousin told Garden City police three men driving a small black car abducted the girls Sunday afternoon.

"The entire story was fabricated," Capt. Al Jelinski, criminal investigation division commander with Garden City police told the Savannah Morning News. "We’re happy there was no kidnapping, but the whole thing is very frustrating."