VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — Police in Vancouver, Wash., say they're working on a way to return any money that was donated to a woman who now admits throwing acid in her own face.
They also say Bethany Storro could be charged with filing a false report, though that's up to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
The story of a stranger throwing acid in Storro's face last month drew worldwide sympathy. Facebook groups were formed to draw attention to Storro's plight. A fundraiser was planned in Vancouver, and donation sites were established at branches of two local banks.
Storro had claimed a black woman with a pony tail threw acid in her face after saying, "Hey, pretty girl, want something to drink?"
But police in the Portland, Ore., suburb say parts of the story didn't add up, leading them to search Storro's house yesterday. That's when they say she admitted the disfiguring attack was self-inflicted.
Police haven't determined a motive for Storro's actions, but say she is "very remorseful."
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VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — A woman who gained sympathy worldwide after she claimed a random assailant threw acid on her face came forward Thursday with startling admission: She inflicted the attack on herself.
Vancouver Police Chief Clifford Cook said that Bethany Storro admitted to fabricating a story about the attack in which she suffered severe burns.
Cook said he does not know a motive for Storro's actions, but added she is "very remorseful."
He said "several discrepancies began to emerge regarding the alleged attack" during the investigation. During a search of her home and interviews Thursday, "Ms. Storro admitted the injuries were self-inflicted," Cook said.
Police had been seeking a black woman with a ponytail in the Aug. 30 attack. Storro had said the woman asked her, "Hey, pretty girl, want something to drink?" then threw acid in her face.
Since the attack, Storro has made several media appearances, but a planned interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" was canceled.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
